SIDNEY — During the Miami Valley Cycling Summit held earlier this year in Piqua, Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann challenged Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst to ride a bicycle 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.”
Barhorst has announced he will be riding his bicycle to City Hall on Friday, Oct. 23. He plans to arrive at 8 a.m. from his home on North West Avenue. “I’m not certain that the Commissioner realized that I lived so close to work,” the Mayor stated, “or that the route was downhill.” Commissioner Ehemann resides is Anna.
“With fundraising currently underway for Mary Reedy’s Mark’s Toys for Tots Bike Drive, I thought this was an opportune time to raise awareness about cycling and satisfy the challenge given by Commissioner Ehemann at the same time,” Barhorst stated. “Hopefully Julie can fulfill her half of the bargain before it gets too cold outside.”
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,” Reedy said. All the funds donated this year will be used to purchase bicycles that will be distributed in Shelby County.
