Cops' Bike Giveaway Will Make 280 Kids Smile

Months of volunteer effort paid off Thursday when the San Leandro Police Department helped give away 280 new bicycles and helmets to low-income families that get help from the Davis Street Family Resource Center.

The department's "Bikes for Tykes" program, coordinated by Officer Louie Brandt raised a record $17,000 to buy and give away the two-wheelers to Davis Street clients chosen through a lottery.

Vehicles belonging to the lucky recipients began lining up Thursday morning along Teagarden Avenue where it turns onto Alvarado Avenue. Some, like Julie Peterson, arrived in cars driven by relatives or neighbors because they didn't have a vehicle that could transport the bike.

"My boy wanted a bike so bad," said Peterson, a single mother who has been having a tough time since she lost her restaurant job.

There were many similar versions of the same story as volunteers worked into Thursday afternoon, matching the bikes with the age and gender of the child, choosing an appropriate helmet, and fitting the donation into whatever car, truck or van was available.

Enjoy a handful of images from the event. Most of these gifts will be surprises, so mum's the word.