Hough Students Collect Bikes for C.A.R.E. Center

Left to right: Mikayla Sun and Maddie Fisher | Contributed photo

Two Cornelius students are collecting unwanted bicycles to support a local program that teaches children practical repair skills.

Maddie Fisher and Makayla Sun have launched Give and Gear Up, a community service project benefiting the Neighborhood C.A.R.E. Center’s bike shop in Cornelius. The students are collecting gently used bicycles and raising money for the program through Oct. 30.

The bike shop serves children ages 10 to 16, teaching them to repair bicycles while developing problem-solving skills and learning through hands-on projects. Donations of bikes with 24- and 26-inch wheels are especially needed.

Bikes can be dropped off at the Neighborhood C.A.R.E. Center with a tag identifying them for the DECA project. Fisher and Sun also are offering Tuesday pickups from local homes.

The pair of juniors launched the initiative as part of their involvement in the Hough High School DECA Club, which encourages students to be active in their community.

Fisher helped the C.A.R.E. Center with a food drive last year and knew the bike shop was in need of assistance.

“The people who run the C.A.R.E. Center also have many connections to people in the community, which is a great way that we can be able to reach more and get the word out about our project,” she said.

Financial contributions can be made through the Neighborhood C.A.R.E. Center by selecting “DECA Gear Up Bike Shop.”