CORPUS CHRISTI — It's a glimmer of hope for several coastal bend children who may not have had a Christmas this year, according to John Lennan with the Texas Department of family and Protective Services.
"The message that is sent to these children is you are remembered, you are special , you are getting something for Christmas.” He said.
Rajan Ahuja who is the president of Foster Angels of South Texas says he got the idea to donate bikes to foster children when he began noticing old bikes in people's garages.
After, he reached out to people on the Nextdoor app and Facebook, he collected a total of 39 bikes.
"It's extremely important to feel a part of Christmas…to be able to feel normal and normalcy comes from being able to do whatever the other children are doing."
Together with the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance, Foster Angels of South Texas, the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation, and the Port of Corpus Christi, they were able to donate helmets and bike locks along with the bikes.
John Lennan with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services says this will also help children get active outside.
"It'll give the children the opportunity to get out of the house, ride, breathe some fresh air, while doing it safely."
Lennan says the bikes will be handed out to children from now until Christmas.
Ahuja hopes this will spark others in the community to help children in need.
"The best way to start something is just do it. If you think you have an idea, just do it."
Ahuja says he hopes to make this a yearly event.
