Co-Op asks community to drink beer, help give a kid a bike

Thursday, Nov. 14 — The Lansing Bike Co-Op is holding a fundraiser Tuesday at Ozone’s Brewhouse in Old Town.

Patrons will be asked to donate $20, which will cover the cost of two pints and help defray the cost of refurbishing 50 bicycles for children this Christmas, along with a new free helmet for each child.

The bicycle giveaway for kids 5 to 15 will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Allen Neighborhood Center, just down the street from the Co-Op on Kalamazoo Street. Co-op leader Aaron Fields said the giveaway is open to all kids.

Last year, the Co-Op raised $2,500 at a similar Ozone’s fundraiser. Extra revenue will help the bicycle co-operative be sustainable. The co-op recently purchased its building from the Ingham County Land Bank and must now pay off its mortgage.

Most of the bicycles are donated by Share-a-Bike in East Lansing. “They mostly deal with adults. That’s why we get all their kids bikes,” Fields said.

The bikes are souped-up with new tires, seats and handlebars to make them look nice, and they are provided a helmet. Helmets are purchased from Helmets R Us, a nonprofit supplier based in Tacoma, Washington “It teaches the kid it’s OK to wear a helmet.”

Kids Bicycle Fundraiser

6 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19

$20 for two pints

Ozone’s Brewhouse

305 Beaver St., Old Town, Lansing

lansingbikecoop.org, 999-2739