Our Story
The Beginning of Bikes for Tikes
The journey of Bikes for Tikes started with a challenge from Bechtel Management to the UA Local 598 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. The two union members receiving the challenge, have turned that challenge into a cornerstone community service organization. Randy Walli and Brad Chitty fully accepted the challenge. They raised funds and delivered to Toys for Tots, 43 bikes that first year. The current Board President and Operations Chairman continued to give their own time, money, and effort each year to move that 43 bikes to more than 2,000 in 2019. To date over 15,000 bikes have been distributed in the Tri-Cities and the North West. As the organization has grown over time more and more connections in the community have been forged. The challenge became an organization, and as of about 5 years ago Bikes for Tikes became a fully recognized 501-C3 Non-Profit. It is recognized in the community and highly regarded by its partners.
The journey of Bikes for Tikes started with a challenge from Bechtel Management to the UA Local 598 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. The two union members receiving the challenge, have turned that challenge into a cornerstone community service organization. Randy Walli and Brad Chitty fully accepted the challenge. They raised funds and delivered to Toys for Tots, 43 bikes that first year. The current Board President and Operations Chairman continued to give their own time, money, and effort each year to move that 43 bikes to more than 2,000 in 2019. To date over 15,000 bikes have been distributed in the Tri-Cities and the North West. As the organization has grown over time more and more connections in the community have been forged. The challenge became an organization, and as of about 5 years ago Bikes for Tikes became a fully recognized 501-C3 Non-Profit. It is recognized in the community and highly regarded by its partners.
It's not all about the bicycles. Bikes for Tikes brings the community together. Partners contribute funds, in-kind contributions, time, locations, and bike distribution support. Funding sponsors provide the dollars to purchase the bikes. The purchases are supported and managed by a favored local retailer. Each year the bikes are purchased and arrive in pallets at the warehouse. Another favored sponsor provides storage for boxed and finished bikes as needed. The funding sponsors include local and regional businesses, union support organizations, and union members themselves. Historically all funds donated were used to buy bicycles and helmets.
The annual “Bike Build” Event has long been a tradition for many in the Tri-Cities area. For the last several years Three Rivers Convention Center in partnership with Local 598 has been the place to be on the first Friday in December. Volunteers gather in the morning to build the multitude of bikes. These volunteers are truly diverse. They range from bicycling clubs to high school clubs, from area professionals to church groups. Historically the 1,000+ volunteers made an amazing sight. Once the bikes are built, they are distributed to individuals and organizations throughout the north west. The organization has maintained its relationship with Toys for Tots and expanded to other key community connectors. Bikes for Tikes have traveled from Seattle to Boise, Portland to Spokane and most communities in between. The organization is supported in those communities by the local unions and community-based organizations.
The annual “Bike Build” Event has long been a tradition for many in the Tri-Cities area. For the last several years Three Rivers Convention Center in partnership with Local 598 has been the place to be on the first Friday in December. Volunteers gather in the morning to build the multitude of bikes. These volunteers are truly diverse. They range from bicycling clubs to high school clubs, from area professionals to church groups. Historically the 1,000+ volunteers made an amazing sight. Once the bikes are built, they are distributed to individuals and organizations throughout the north west. The organization has maintained its relationship with Toys for Tots and expanded to other key community connectors. Bikes for Tikes have traveled from Seattle to Boise, Portland to Spokane and most communities in between. The organization is supported in those communities by the local unions and community-based organizations.
All things change. The year 2020 has been a year of change for so many of us, and Bikes for Tikes is no exception. As the year began the Board of Directors began to accept a new challenge. The call for expansion of the program from partner organizations and others that have heard of the program became loud enough to take seriously. The Board looked for ways to grow new partnerships and the footprint of the organization. That plan included the need for more dedicated person power and formalization of those things the Board of Directors manage so well.
They put forward a plan that included partnering with local universities and colleges to develop an internship program. That program would provide real world experience for the interns and deepen connectivity with the community for the organization. Beginning in the fall interns began to fill roles in the organization. As the year progressed the Board realized that the large single build concept might not be possible. They began seeking other methods of including the community in getting the 1,000 bikes ordered early in the year built. The “Micro-Build” concept turned out to be extremely popular with those who volunteered at the 24 hosted builds. These builds happened over 4 weeks and included everything from garage and parking lot builds to a backyard bar-b-que. We are so thankful. The support for the organization in 2020 has restored the momentum from earlier in the year to reach farther and try harder in 2021.
They put forward a plan that included partnering with local universities and colleges to develop an internship program. That program would provide real world experience for the interns and deepen connectivity with the community for the organization. Beginning in the fall interns began to fill roles in the organization. As the year progressed the Board realized that the large single build concept might not be possible. They began seeking other methods of including the community in getting the 1,000 bikes ordered early in the year built. The “Micro-Build” concept turned out to be extremely popular with those who volunteered at the 24 hosted builds. These builds happened over 4 weeks and included everything from garage and parking lot builds to a backyard bar-b-que. We are so thankful. The support for the organization in 2020 has restored the momentum from earlier in the year to reach farther and try harder in 2021.
They put forward a plan that included partnering with local universities and colleges to develop an internship program. That program would provide real world experience for the interns and deepen connectivity with the community for the organization. Beginning in the fall interns began to fill roles in the organization. As the year progressed the Board realized that the large single build concept might not be possible. They began seeking other methods of including the community in getting the 1,000 bikes ordered early in the year built. The “Micro-Build” concept turned out to be extremely popular with those who volunteered at the 24 hosted builds. These builds happened over 4 weeks and included everything from garage and parking lot builds to a backyard bar-b-que. We are so thankful. The support for the organization in 2020 has restored the momentum from earlier in the year to reach farther and try harder in 2021.
The future is upon us. As 2020 closes, Bikes for Tikes looks forward to the new year. The Board is developing plans to get even more bikes into the communities we serve. This will require new and expanded partnerships. More communication with our stakeholders. Most importantly remaining creative and adapting to an ever-changing environment. We are thankful for all our partners and those who continue to support Bikes for Tikes. Thank you all! Please look for us in the new year, we will be bringing the community together, one bike at a time.
BIKES FOR TIKES
(509) 545-1446
1328 Rd 28, Pasco, WA 99301
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