Lafourche sheriff launches ’07 Bike Giveaway program

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is receiving bike donations – and requests for bikes – for its Holiday Bike Giveaway program.

Last year, almost 200 bicycles were given to Lafourche children through the program.

“We are proud to protect and serve our community on a daily basis, but we look forward to doing something extra special for our local families during the holiday season – and we could always use additional financial help,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “We hope to provide holiday cheer again this year to the needy and deserving families in our area.”

The LPSO’s Law Enforcement Explorer Scout program delivers the bikes to poor and under-privileged children. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1,800 bikes have been given away.

A genuine effort of the entire sheriff’s office, the program even enlists the help of inmates, who spend weeks repairing and refurbishing donated and found bikes, said department spokesman Larry Weidel.

Donated bikes must be in good working order, he said.

To donate a bike, contact Weidel at (985) 632-5843, the sheriff’s office at (985) 449-4420 or deliver it to any of the sheriff’s offices.

“Unfortunately, we generally receive many more bike requests than we can accommodate,” Weidel said. “However, we try to help as many kids as we can.”

The sheriff’s office also teams up with local Christmas Angel Tree programs, the Thibodaux Christmas Toy Drive, teachers, ministers and social workers to gather names of children who can’t afford a bike, Weidel said.

Requests for a bike must include information about the child – name, age, sex, address and telephone number, Weidel said. A brief description of the circumstances that qualify the child for a bike is also helpful, he noted.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking the community to help the 2007 Bike Giveaway program. Last year, almost 200 bicycles – some new, some refurbished – were donated to needy Lafourche children. * Photo courtesy of the LPSO