By Sheriff Ian Parkinson
Take a look at the calendar. Take a good long look. That’s right, the holidays are here. And as the holiday season arrives, we’re reminded of the power of community and generosity. At the Sheriff’s Office, we believe in doing our part to spread a little bit of joy, and one of the ways we’ve been doing that for over three decades is through our Christmas Bicycle Giveaway.
This year, we are proud to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this special program. It all started with a simple idea: to make Christmas brighter for kids in need by giving them bicycles. What began as a small initiative has grown into a significant annual event, providing hundreds of children across San Luis Obispo County with a bicycle and helmet each year.
The heart of this program begins with you. Without your donations, this program could not be successful. But this program doesn’t just begin and end in December. It’s a year-round effort. We ask the community to donate any bicycles they’re no longer using — whether they’re new or used, every donation makes a difference. And thanks to the generosity of our community, we now receive bike donations throughout the year.
Once the donation is made, the bikes are sent to the Sheriff’s Honor Farm. Over the years, inmates there have been refurbishing donated bicycles and learning valuable skills in the process. It’s a win-win: the bikes get a second life, and the inmates get the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Last year, we were able to give away more than 300 bikes to kids who otherwise might not have received one.
You can drop off bikes at any of our patrol stations in Templeton, Los Osos, Oceano, or at the Honor Farm off Highway 1 near Cuesta College. From there, the real work begins. The inmates, with the help of volunteers from Bike SLO County, refurbished the bikes to like-new condition. The program not only benefits the kids but also instills a sense of pride and purpose in the inmates who participate.
The success of the Christmas Bicycle Giveaway wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support we receive from the community. Organizations like Bike SLO County, Rita’s Rainbows, The SLO Bike Club, the Sandlot Group of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Garbage, the SLO County Health Agency, and the Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation all play a critical role in making sure we have the resources we need to make this happen.
This year, on December 12, we will once again be handing out bicycles at the Sheriff’s Honor Farm. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they receive a bike. It’s a moment of pure joy, and it’s what keeps this tradition going year after year.
As I close out another year of informing you about all the many happenings at the Sheriff’s Office, I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to all the residents of San Luis Obispo County who have supported our mission throughout the year. And so, like I have done in previous years, I will end on this note: From everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office, may your holidays be safe and filled with peace, health, and much happiness.
