Texas Machinists Organize Holiday Bicycle Drive

Anyone who has ever seen a child’s eyes light up at the sight of a new bicycle under the tree on Christmas morning knows where the inspiration behind this latest example of IAM service to the community comes from.

Fort Worth, TX, IAM District 776 Vice President Anna Ritchie and Local 776A Stewart Aurora Lopez helped organize the first Christmas Bicycle Charity through the district’s three local lodges. Members of Local A, B and C collected donations from members and were able to purchase bicycles from Toys-R-Us.

The bicycles were assembled by IAM members, and will be delivered and ready to ride by Christmas morning. Together they managed to collect 83 new bicycles that were distributed with help from a number of local organizations including United Way’s Presbyterian Night Shelter, a refugee community supported by Normandale Baptist Church, and Fort Worth’s Cowboy Santa Program.

“This is one of those gestures made by our members that too often goes unrecognized but will make a big difference to dozens of children and families in need,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin. “On behalf of members across the Southern Territory, I want to thank District 776 for everything they do for our members and for their community.”