The Noon Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with the two bicycle shops in town, is once again coordinating a local collection of used bikes that will help Arizona kids in the foster care system.

The “Recycle your Bicycle” program will run through September.

“This program was such a success the last two years that we decided to continue it,” said Noon Kiwanis Club President Ken Brown.

The club and bike shops last year collected more than 50 bicycles for donation to the foster kids program.

All bicycles collected during the drive will be given to children during this winter’s holiday season with the help of the Arizona Association for Foster & Adoptive Parents.

“Recycle your Bicycle” started in 2009 with one volunteer and one bike. The program has grown into 1,000-plus bikes being donated each year.

And now Fountain Hills residents can easily contribute to that effort with the help of the Noon Kiwanis Club and two bike shops in town – Fountain Hills Bikes and McDowell Mountain Cycles.

Residents who want to donate new or gently used bicycles can simply drop them off during normal business hours at one of the bike shops.

Fountain Hills Bikes is located on the north end of town near the middle school at 15225 N. Fountain Hills Blvd., suite 104.

McDowell Mountain Cycles is located on Saguaro between Colony and Panorama at 11879 N. Saguaro Blvd.

The Noon Kiwanis Club will periodically pick up donated bikes at the shops and then ultimately get them to Recycle your Bicycle organizers.

“Children in foster care have an especially tough life,” added Brown. “Many times, they enter foster care with no more than the clothes on their back.

“We want to continue to partner with this program to make sure every child is able to participate in a normal part of growing up – riding a bike.

“I want to thank the local shops for their efforts last year and for agreeing to help us out again this September.”

For those who have bikes for donation but need someone to pick them up, contact Kiwanian Mike Scharnow at 480-226-6524.