Bikes For Kids

Established in 2018, Bikes For Kids is a nonprofit organization that takes used bicycles, refurbishes them, and gives them out to foster homes and children in need throughout the year.

Since starting this nonprofit, founder Pete Paulsen - with help from donations - has been able to giveaway over three hundred bicycles to foster homes and kids in need; but it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. 

Unfortunately, while trying to run his non-profit, Mr. Paulsen’s wife had a stroke (her second in just a few years), causing her to fall and get injured, leaving her bed ridden ever since. 

This set Mr. Paulsen back from doing anything for Bikes For Kids or his wheel business for months, as he had to tend to the needs of his wife Patricia. 

Then came all the house and property repairs. From small things like fixing fences, to bigger things such as replacing windows and having stairs rebuilt so that the in-home nurses could get his wife in and out of the house. 

Then In 2020 things got even worse, Covid hit. Mr. Paulsen’s wheel business was no longer making money, causing him to step away from his passion of over 60 years. Then his sponsors started to drop off as well, causing him to rely on just his social security to cover not only his bills, but also the items needed to finish the bikes and cover the overhead.

In just these past few months Mr. Paulsen has held two events in the hopes of raising money for Bikes For Kids. Unfortunately, neither event raised many funds, in fact one event even caused him to lose money. 

            Since starting this non-profit, the bikes have taken over. They are in Mr. Paulsen’s shop, upstairs, in his garage (causing him to have to relocate his vehicles), the side of his garage and out in his storage building. They take up over 3,000 square feet.

            Even through all his hardships, Mr. Paulsen makes sure that bikes he receives find new homes. This year his goal is to donate 200 bicycles, bringing his total of donations to 500 and counting.

            People seem to think that because Bikes For Kids is a non-profit, Mr. Paulsen doesn’t have any overhead…That couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only does he have bicycle parts to buy, he also has rent to pay for the location, as well as PG&E so that he can keep the shop warm and well lite. Running a non-profit isn’t cheap, so Mr. Paulsen could use any help you are willing to give. 

            Let’s go people, this is a wonderful cause. Let’s help Mr. Paulsen keep it going by donating any amount you can, from $1 to $100 everything helps and will allow Bikes For Kids to continue.