About 15 million children in the United States live below the federal poverty threshold With little funds coming in to provide basic necessities, these children often go without on Christmas morning. But, Highway 98 Country is working to keep this from happening, teaming up with Toys for Tots for the 8th Annual Bikes or Bust!
And, to raise awareness of the children in need along the Emerald Coast and nationally, Highway 98 Country is sending radio personality Bo Reynolds on a scissor lift, 30 feet up in the air, for 98 hours.
“Don’t worry, Bo will have a porta potty and a tent,” said Community Broadcasters Director of Promotions, Lisa Buchman “But, it definitely gets everyone’s attention.”
The 2018 Bikes of Bust drive is set to kick off on Thursday, November 29 at noon until 10am on Monday, December 3rd at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. The staff of Highway 98 Country and Community Broadcasters, along with volunteers from numerous organizations, will be collecting new bikes and helmets during the event.
“This event has become more than a charity event for Toys for Tots,” adds Buchman. “It’s an annual community event that has become a holiday tradition for families to participate in together. It is truly an honor to hear the stories of why people donate bikes each year. For some it’s because they recall hard times at Christmas. Others donate in honor of loved ones. ”
In its first year, Bikes or Bust brought in nearly 450 bikes, but since then, the event has grown, adding an incredible amount of participants and bringing in more than 1,500 bikes in 2017.
“This year, we’re hoping to donate more than 2,000 bikes to the children in our area,” said Buchman. “And, I really think we can do it. Local businesses and individuals have let us know they have been collecting bikes to donate!” All the bikes will be distributed to local charities through Emerald Coast Toys for Tots.
With Hurricane Michael’s impact radiating throughout the panhandle, pushing families further into poverty or preventing them from having a Christmas, a portion of the bikes donated will go directly to the children impacted.
To volunteer for or learn more about this event, visit cbemeraldcoast.com/
