132 bikes for Christmas thanks to Jimmy Walker

Dozens of kids’ dreams of a bike for Christmas came true Dec. 3 at St. Vincent de Paul thanks to Jimmy Walker's Bikes for Kids event. SVdP and Jimmy gave out 132 bikes to boys and girls of the Valley, along with helmets to make sure they ride safely. Each bike came packaged in a box for easy transportation and with instructions for assembly for parents. 

Jimmy made the event about more than just the bikes; he made it a mini carnival to celebrate the holiday and demonstrate the season's spirit of giving. There were inflatable bouncy houses, food, ice cream, drinks, a petting zoo, and a firetruck!

Everett Adams, a father at the event, said his kids’ bikes have been broken for months, so they haven’t been able to enjoy them or exercise with them.

“I just heard SVdP were blessing people and families,” he said. “I came out to support my family. They’ve definitely been waiting [for bikes].”

This is the 39th year that Jimmy Walker has thrown this event at SVdP and donated bikes to the community. The tradition started in the '80s when his family wanted to share in their abundant blessings and give back.

“[I do it] to see the smiles on their faces. To make these kids happy,” Jimmy said. “I mean, these kids don't get a bicycle at Christmas, most of them. It's very, very seldom.”

Jimmy thinks that having this event during Christmas time is especially important because of the hardships that the season can sometimes resurface or exacerbate. 

“[During the Holidays,] there's a lot of depression, a lot of hurt, a lot of pain,” he said. “We think this party, with a petting zoo and the food and the games, that these little kids get a chance to have something special. That’s where the joy really comes in.”