By Allison Smith
Herald Intern
The Oviedo Police Department partnered with the Christmas Bike Program to donate a bicycle, helmet, and bike lock to a local student in need.
The Oviedo Police Department has had a long-standing partnership with the Christmas Bike Program, so when Officers Yashira Velez and Jonathan Lopez saw a student in need, they reached out. “Her reaction was amazing.” Officer Lopez said that he had known this student for about a year, and Officer Velez played a large role in connecting with the Christmas Bike Program.
Officer Lopez said that he had noticed the student was walking to school beside all her friends who had bikes and scooters. According to Officer Lopez, when she received the bike, she was very grateful. "Her reaction was very heartfelt, I think everyone around us felt it.” Officer Lopez said. “She was full of excitement and happiness.”
Officer Lopez said that he and Officer Velez briefed the student on road safety before she took her new set of wheels for a spin.
“This is one of the big key things we were trying to educate the public here in Oviedo,” Officer Lopez said. “Not just in Oviedo, but all of Seminole County all together.” Officer Lopez and Officer Velez also gifted the student a helmet and bike lock to keep her and her bike safe.
“We talk to the kids all the time about wearing their bike helmets and being safe,” Officer Lopez said, “Walking their bikes across the pedestrian walkways and stopping at stop signs before they cross and all that good stuff.”
Ryan Garrett, Secretary of the Board at the Christmas Bike Program, said “Officer Velez worked through the department to contact us to ask if we would be willing to donate a bike to this particular child and we were more than happy to do so.”
According to Garrett, the program donated about 230 bikes this past Christmas season. “The amount we donate really depends on the need. Anywhere between 150 to 300 is typical,” Garrett said. “This past Christmas it was about 230.”
Garrett mentioned the program liked to work behind the scenes and runs on donations. “We run an annual golf tournament in October, and that’s our primary source of income,” Garrett said. Garrett said the Christmas bike program is always open to donations, their website is Christmasbikes.org, and they run a Facebook page.
“It was awesome to give back to the community.” Officer Lopez said.
