RABA donates bikes, helmets to Henrico Christmas Mother

Volunteers from the Richmond Area Bicycling Association delivered 38 new bicycles and 38 helmets to the Henrico Christmas Mother Dec. 2. The donations were part of a larger effort by RABA, which contributed a total of 450 bicycles and helmets to local Christmas Mother programs.

Nearly 100 RABA volunteers assembled the bicycles Nov. 1, then delivered them during the following weeks to Richmond, Hanover, Goochland, New Kent, Charles City, Chesterfield, Powhatan and Henrico.

Through its nonprofit RABA Foundation, the organization and its members have raised money to purchase bikes for needy children for 16 years. The drive originally was created by Dee and Suzanne Nuckols of Goochland County as a way to give back to the community.

“Having lived my entire life in the greater Richmond area and having biked around these roads for over 20 years, it was very important to give back to my community," said 2017 RABA President Andrew Mann. "When Dee Nuckols stated that he was 'retiring' from the Bikes for Kids project I knew that I had to keep it going. With a great deal of help form RABA members the program has continued to grow significantly.”

Since 1967, RABA has offered cyclists of all levels and abilities many ways to enjoy their favorite pastime. The group has more than 1,000 members who participate in regularly scheduled on and off-road rides weekdays and weekends throughout the metro Richmond area. Membership is $25 per year. For details, visit www.raba.org.