Bikes For Tykes
This now-national charity was founded right here in Naples in 1987 by local resident Skip Riffle. Each year, the group acquires and distributes thousands of children’s bikes to needy kids in the community. “Please, think for a moment of the most impacting present you received as a child,” writes Riffle on the group’s website. “It was probably a bike! With this wonderful device your world suddenly became larger. It was now possible not only to visit a friend down the block but you could also go to other neighborhoods or even as far as across town!” While a $50 donation buys a kid a bike and a $10 donation buys a helmet, volunteers are also needed to help assemble and restore used bikes. Donations go towards bikes, helmets and refurbishing costs.
For more info, visit: http://www.bikesfortykes.org.
Naples Pathways Coalition
This not-for-profit group advocates for safe spaces for runners, walkers and cyclists in Collier County. The group has been instrumental in getting “3 Feet, It’s The Law” stickers put on county vehicles and in helping plan new, multi-use spaces. It also holds regular bike light giveaways and free bike safety clinics. “What we do enhances the quality of life for people in Collier County,” says board president Jane Cheffy. Donations go to support the executive director’s salary as well as to help purchase safety items for needy bike riders.
For more info, visit: http://www.naplespathways.org.
Collier Safe And Healthy Kids Coalition
This local initiative has three main goals: Combatting childhood obesity, preventing child drowning deaths and reducing the incidents of sudden infant death syndrome. Programs organized by the group include a Summer Run For Fun running group (where all participants that make it to five of the runs get a trophy!) and a 95210 Kids On The Go initiative that has students run either a marathon or a half marathon one-mile-per-week over the span of 13 or 26 weeks. The group also works to prevent drowning deaths by organizing free swim lessons and offering education for parents on how to safeguard their pools. Donations pay for educational events and activities.
For more info, visit www.safehealthychildren.org.