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Firefighters Join Forces To Give Nearly 500 Bikes To Needy Kids For Christmas

CORONA (CBSLA.com) —  Riverside County and Corona firefighters made like Santa when they joined forces with volunteers to buy and assemble 485 bicycles for disadvantaged children in Eastvale, Corona and Norco.

The yeoman holiday effort was spearheaded by the "Bicycles for Children" organization that raised funds throughout the year to help in the gift-giving event. The bike giveaway will take place Monday and Tuesday and is coordinated by the organization, Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said.

"Bicycles for Children" organization worked with school officials to identify which children are eligible to receive the free bike and helmet, Hagemann said.

Knowing that local firefighters pitched in to assist in the holiday effort was touching, said Riverside County Fire Battalion Chief Silvio Lanzas.

"Witnessing our firefighters and community members donate their time and effort to making a kid's holidays a little brighter is very heartwarming," Lanzas said.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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