Sixteen members of the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier received the gift of a new bicycle on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from the Mark J. Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund.  In addition to the new bicycles, G’s Cyclery in Uptown Whittier generously provided the kids with brand new Schwinn helmets.

 

The Club members and their parents were invited to the give-a-way last Saturday, where the kids were fitted for their new bicycles and helmets, given instructions on bike safety, and then taken on bike ride to discover the wonders of our Greenway Trail.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier has wanted to start a biking club for our kids, and this special donation from the Mark Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund will serve as our impetus,” shared Samantha Ridout, Executive Director. 

 

In June 2008, a golf tournament was held in memory of Mark Reynolds, the cyclist who while riding on a biking trail at Whiting Ranch in 2004, was fatally attacked by a mountain lion.  The golf tournament was organized by fellow cyclist Dean Kaneshiro, who is also a 21 year employee of Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital.  The Mark J. Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund was created by his mother Dona in an effort to continue Mark’s passion for providing bikes to less fortunate children, while promoting health, safety, and fun.  With a smile beaming from ear to ear, Kaneshiro comments, “seeing the kids - the joy and happiness – is what this is all about.  Mark would be very pleased with his legacy.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier provides year round programs for youth ages 7 to 18 in the areas of Education & Career Development; Character & Leadership; Health & Life Skills; Sports, Fitness & Recreation; and Visual & Performing Arts.  The Club offers young people what they need most: a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits.  

 

For more information regarding the programs and services of the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier, please call (562) 945-3787, Ext. 100.