Rogers County Churches Donate Nearly Three Dozen Bikes To Tulsa Kids

 Nearly three dozen Tulsa kids got a free bike Thursday, thanks to volunteers from two churches.

The bike giveaway started four years ago to reward students for their work in the classroom. The tradition continues thanks to some Rogers County volunteers who have a special connection to Tulsa. Cassidy Shorts and Makaila Wing are two of 33 excited kids who got free bicycles from strangers.

"My bike's perfect," said Shorts.

"Number one, it's one of my favorite colors,” said Wing. “I think it looks cool."

The girls' foster mom, Diane Barnett, said this means a lot to their family.

"I just want to say thank you,” said Barnett. “They don't understand. I mean, these times are hard right now with COVID and everything. This is a big help."

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton and his wife, Rosalie, belong to Eden Mennonite Church, which bought the bikes.

"Just the fact that a bicycle would get them out of their little, tiny area that they didn't have a way to get out of and for the older kids to be able to use the bikes to get to work somewhere," said Rosalie Walton.

Bikes now cost more, and there's a shortage due to supply chain issues, so, Rogers County Maj. Coy Jenkins and his Claremore First United Methodist Church collected money to buy the helmets.

"We just don't realize what a commitment that our community needs to make in order to help these kids," said Jenkins.

Also, Sheriff Walton and Maj. Jenkins used to work for the Tulsa police department.

"At the end of the day, there are two things that we're taught as police officers,” said Jenkins. “Is to protect, and what's that other one? Oh yeah, to serve."