PEORIA, Ill. — Santa arrived in Peoria Wednesday, wearing a police uniform.
It was the second “Free Bikes For Kids” event at the Gateway Building.
This time, the Peoria Police Department enlisted some help, including local bike shops and WalMart, to refurbish 63 bicycles. They also gave away 33 new ones.
Officer Mike Featherstone, with Peoria Neighborhood Services, tells 25 News, that’s 96 bikes distributed, in a cost-free lottery system.
“I wanted to make it a little bit better. I wanted to make it a little more personable. So, it’s also a hot day. So, we did waters, we did juices, uh, ice cream sandwiches. Icees,” Featherstone says.
City fire stations were used as drop off sites for donated bikes.
Featherstone also bought some helmets for the kids and offered an obstacle course, too.
