Bikes for local tykes

Mon December 19 2005
Posted Dec 19, 2005
8,673

Christmas comes early for a few lucky children By SARA KONRAD Messenger Staff Writer ROCKWELL CITY — Katelynn Lindner wanted two things for Christmas — a bicycle and a dog. And, in a way, she got both of them. Lindner was one of only three children who showed up Sunday to take home a bicycle as part of the Bikes for Tykes program at the North Central Correctional Facility. Miscommunication was to blame for the mix-up, said Larry Raner, a correctional supervisor at the minimum security prison and co-creator of the Bikes for Tykes program. Nevertheless, the visitors and the inmates at the prison had a warm afternoon of gifts, Santa Claus, cookies and dogs. Started in 1998, Bikes for Tykes takes donated used bicycles and turns them over to inmates, who work for months, without pay, to repair and rebuild them before the bikes are given as gifts to deserving families in Fort Dodge and the surrounding area. “It’s a win-win situation,” said Raner. “The inmates get to feel like they’re not worthless and the kids get to come here and pick out a bike.” Despite the low turnout Sunday, the children still got a full show. In addition to stockings and an appearance from Santa Claus, several of the inmates who participate in the Leader Dog program brought their four-legged friends to the event. Katelynn Lindner and her sister, Samantha Lindner, 12, had to divide their time between riding their new bicycles around the prison gymnasium and petting the dozens of dogs who wanted to meet them. In 1998 Raner said the program gave out 36 bicycles. Today, that number has grow to be as many as 75 to 100 refurbished bikes. In past years, the Bikes for Tykes day has drawn 18 to 25 kids. Bikes that aren’t claimed during the program are given to several area organizations, including The Salvation Army, YWCA, Jerry Rabiner’s Boys Ranch, Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. and the Cherokee Area Domestic Abuse Shelter. Joan Lindner, Katelynn mother, said she was happy to learn about the program from Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. ‘‘She used to have a bike, but she grew out of it,’’ Joan Lindner said of Katelynn, who is 5 years old. ‘‘I really wanted to get her a new one.’’ Raner said the program is run on donations of money, bicycles and time. ABATE of Iowa, a nonprofit motorcycle enthusiast organization, supports the Bikes for Tykes program through donations of used bicycles and money, which is raised at an annual motorcycle run that starts at the prison. Jess Tepner, a member of ABATE of Iowa District 10, said 100 percent of the proceeds from the August motorcycle run are donated to the Bikes for Tykes program. “It’s so much fun to come here every year and see the reactions of the kids,” said Tepner, who has been attending Bikes for Tykes for six years. “This is just a really fun day.” Besides getting used bikes from ABATE, the prison is also given unclaimed stolen bicycles from the Des Moines Police Department. Also, the Fort Dodge streets department saves bicycles picked up during clean-up days, and the Lions Club has donated bikes. Raner said the total cost for the Bikes for Tykes program is $800 to $1,000 each year. While much of that money is raised by ABATE, some also comes from The Insiders, a group of inmates that holds an annual benefit auction of items and goodies that are not normally available within the prison’s walls. Katelynn Lindner may have wanted to leave with her new bike and a puppy, but as she rode her pastel-colored bicycle, complete with training wheels, out the gymnasium doors Sunday afternoon, she seemed perfectly content with her Christmas present.