Allina Health Locations Accepting Bike Donations on Saturday, Oct. 8
Deb Fortner has found a way to bring new life to hundreds and hundreds of used bicycles. The Maple Grove resident collected nearly 900 bikes which will be fixed and spruced up thanks to the nonprofit Free Bikes 4 Kidz.
This is Fortner’s seventh year collecting bikes. She calls the effort “energizing.”
“Every bike I collect, it’s an opportunity for another child or kid to be able to ride a bike,” said Fortner. “It’s been so rewarding for me to see the generosity of people and get to meet all these people who are donating bikes to this cause or this mission.”
Deb Fortner collected nearly 900 bikes this year for Free Bikes 4 Kidz.
The bikes will be taken to a warehouse in Brooklyn Park, where they will be sorted and refurbished, and then distributed to kids throughout the year.
Last year Fortner collected 1,200 bikes, her personal record.
This Saturday, residents can drop off a gently used or new bike at one of 26 Allina Health locations, including the Abbott Northwestern – WestHealth campus in Plymouth and the Allina Health Maple Grove Clinic. The collection drive takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
