SIDNEY — Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst made good on the promise made earlier this year during the Miami Valley Cycling Summit.
Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann challenged the mayor to ride his bicycle from home to work before the end of the calendar year to help raise awareness of cycling.
“If you ride your bicycle from home to work,” Ehemann told Barhorst, “I’ll ride mine to work as well.”
“I’m not certain that the commissioner realized that I lived so close to work,” Barhorst stated, “or that the route was downhill.”
Ehemann resides is Anna. To keep her end of the bargain, Ehemann plans to ride to her office at the Shelby County Annex on Monday morning.
Waiting for Barhorst to arrive at City Hall was a small group that included Ehemann, City Clerk Kari Egbert, 4th Ward Councilman Steve Wagner, Police Chief William Balling, Salvation Army Maj. David Payne and Mark Reedy of Mark’s Toys for Tots Bike Drive.
“There is no doubt that this opportunity was the opportune time to raise awareness about cycling, satisfy the challenge given by Commissioner Ehemann, and support the Mark’s Toys for Tots Bike Drive at the same time,” Barhorst stated.
Mark’s Toys for Tots Bike Drive is a community/county-wide effort designed to assure that every child in need in the Sidney-Shelby County area will receive a bicycle this Christmas. Donations and offers to help assemble bikes will be accepted through Nov. 20 at marksbikedrive.org, marksbikedrive on Facebook, and by phone (937-778-1353). Donations payable to Mark’s Bike Drive can be mailed to 429 N. Main St., Piqua, OH 45356.
“I have asked the United States Marine Corps League to help deliver the bicycles through their Toys for Tots Program,” Reedy stated. “I am pleased that the Marines have again expressed their willingness to assist with this project.”
Mark’s Toys for Tots Bike Drive raised money for bicycles last year in the Piqua area. The community responded with enough money to purchase more than 200 bicycles. Those bicycles were distributed in time for Christmas.
“A suggested donation of $80 covers the cost of the average bicycle,” Reedy stated. “However, any and all contributions are welcome, and will help us reach our goal of providing a bicycle to every needy child this Christmas.”
All the funds donated this year will be used to purchase bicycles that will be distributed in Shelby County.
