SEPTA Santa Gives Bikes To Children In Need
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A project put into gear five years ago has turned into a full-out holiday giveaway for local kids. A SEPTA Santa spent Wednesday morning in South Philadelphia putting smiles on kids faces.
Chris Guinan is a get it done type of guy.
"I really don't think what I am doing is extraordinary to be honest with you," he humbly says.
That was probably true when the SEPTA manager decided to refurbish five used bikes five years ago. But when friends, family and co-workers threw in their bicycles, too, the effort shifted.
"Frankly it took on a life of its own and I found myself collecting more and more bikes," says Guinan.
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Fast forward and Chris wheels in a hundred used bikes a year thanks to SEPTA giving him space in the Overbrook area to collect the bikes. SEPTA employees donate about 60 percent of what he collects.
"I take the bike irregardless of the condition that it's in," says Guinan.
He uses his own money to fix the bikes and then stores them in his backyard during the year. Then, just before the holidays, he and the family deliver the bikes to places like Intercultural Family Services and Shriners Hospital, where they go to kids in need.
"It's a sea of bicycles, and every year he's done this," says Nephoba Forbes, who works for Intercultural Family Services. The social services agency helps hundreds of families. They help distribute the free bicycles and give all the kids helmets to keep them safe.
"As full as it is right now," says Forbes, referring to the organization's lobby. "But they are all gone by Christmas."
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Chris Young, 11, made sure this gold two-wheeler is spoken for because...he's got plans.
"I'll put it in the air," he says, popping a wheelie. "Do all kinds of stuff, stand on the seat, touch the ground and everything."
But this Chris doesn't do it for the smiles or a thank you, even though they are appreciated.
"Thank you," says Young.
Instead, the married father of two does it because there's a need.
"I could never bring enough bikes to help all the kids that could use them," he says.
So he'll keep working to get the job done.