On Saturday, December 19, children near the Godfrey-Lee school district right here in Wyoming, MI received a surprise gift sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Thanks to the 11th annual Elves & More West Michigan project, 1,800 kids went home as brand-new bike owners.

Each year, organizers of Elves & More decide on an area of need in West Michigan, and bring Christmas joy to families by giving away bikes to kids age 3-16. The location is kept secret until the morning of the giveaway, and then the message is released in a hurry! Families in the Godfrey-Lee area were alerted by a last-minute text through the school district, and the Wyoming police and fire department rolled through neighborhoods announcing the giveaway from their loudspeakers.

This year, 300 volunteers unloaded a bevy of bikes from semi-trucks and set up at Lee Middle and High school off of Havana Avenue.

Elves & More is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing hope to children. They do this by raising funds to purchase, assemble and deliver high-quality bikes and treasure boxes to 1,000 children each holiday season.

In the past 11 years, Elves & More West Michigan has provided 11,800 new bikes and helmets to children in need around Grand Rapids.

Last year, 1,500 bikes were donated in Southeast Grand Rapids.

If you’re looking to get involved for next holiday season, visit Elves & More West Michigan! A donation of $65 buys one lucky child a bike and a helmet. This past year, 13 corporate donors helped provide the 1,800 bikes now tearing up the black top in Godfrey-Lee!