In the next few weeks, more than 200 bicycles will fill Mark and
Cindy Reuter’s garage. They aren’t hoarding, they’re donating. The
Reuter Family
&
amp; Friends charity is for the sixth year asking for monetary
donations to purchase bikes for children, teens and adults in the
area. One-hundred percent of the tax-deductible proceeds will go
toward buying bikes.
Morgan Hill – In the next few weeks, more than 200 bicycles will fill Mark and Cindy Reuter’s garage. They aren’t hoarding, they’re donating. The Reuter Family & Friends charity is for the sixth year asking for monetary donations to purchase bikes for children, teens and adults in the area. One-hundred percent of the tax-deductible proceeds will go toward buying bikes.
“It’s sort of a rite of passage, like your first car, or your first apartment. It’s your first bike, it’s shiny and new. I never had a new bike and now we can help and others are willing to help and pay it forward,” Mark Rueter said.
It started with the Reuters’ then-teenage daughter Michelle who told her parents she wanted to use her baby-sitting money to help in some way. They had a family discussion and the Reuters decided to match any donation Michelle made, and that a bike would be the best gift to give.
From its start six years ago with one bike, the drive increased to five, then to 38, to 140. Last year, they gave away more than 200 bikes.
With the cash donated, they purchase bikes from WalMart and donate 150 to Presentation High School, where Michelle attended, and the rest are divided between St. Catherine’s Church and Betsy’s Restaurant.
The Reuters are hoping to hit the 400 mark someday, though Mark said they want to keep the charity base small and also help more South County families. Local businesses have been generous with the Reuter’s goal, such as the future Honda of Morgan Hill, Gilroy Honda, Chiala Farms, Howell Electric, RPM Exterminators, Anritsu, Industrial Metal Recycling, MDR Machines and Jong Bloed Racing.
“It’s just the way we are. We can’t do less than the year before,” Mark said laughing.
As the donations grew, the Reuters decided to purchase more adult bikes – even though they cost a bit more – because teens were being left out of regular toy drives. Working adults appreciate the new bikes to get to and from work, too.
Reuter said as they unload the bikes at Presentation, the principal Mary Miller, staff, students and friends “still continue to have tears in their eyes knowing how happy a lot of children and families will be for Christmas.”
The Reuters ask that you please make checks out to Presentation High School and mail them to Mark and Cindy Reuter, P.O. Box 2311, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
