Last Saturday 11/13 was a beautifully sunny and unseasonably warm November day, and we had about 110 members, donors, volunteers, and community partners join us for our Annual Appreciation Party!

The intention of the event was connection and celebration, and it’s safe to say that we accomplished just that! We can feel the excitement and support from the community as we now shift gears and work full force toward December 18th’s Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway (our 15th HKBG!).

PacificSource was our event sponsor. This is the second year that PacificSource has supported the Appreciation Party, and their sponsorship covered all event overhead, ensuring that each and every dollar raised at the event will go directly to funding the Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway.

The highlight of the day for many was the opportunity to tour our new warehouse space, which is literally next door to BBP. Soon the days of moving hundreds and hundreds of bikes to-and-from offsite locations will be a distance (though very fond) memory. Jimmy spoke about the potential and opportunity that will be created by this new space. Don’t worry! If you missed the chance to take a tour on Saturday, there will be plenty of other opportunities in the very near future.

We presented the following awards at the Appreciation Party…

2021 Volunteers of the Year

Yumi Luke and Leonard Lake-

This year we decided to award two very special people with Volunteer of the Year, Yumi Luke and Leonard Lake.

Yumi and Leonard have both been instrumental in the success of programs this year. Both have donated a substantial number of hours each week to wrench on youth, teen and adult bikes at our kids warehouse, Bikezza Hut. They've also taken their mechanic skills to the street and joined Devin for a number of the Mobile Fix-It stops.

Besides the sheer number of hours they've donated this year, they've also provided their own unique energy and made a positive impact on our team. Leonard is a reliable and diligent mechanic who's never left the bat signal unanswered. Not to mention he’s helped to broaden Devin’s music repertoire. Yumi is an endless source of positivity and kindness that makes each shift she has in the shop such a pleasurable experience. Not to mention that she's a wicked baker and surprises the staff and volunteers with treats!

We are so grateful for the hours and energy you both have given to BBP!

2021 Stoker of the Year

Jeff Oliver - Deeply committed to living life by bike, Jeff has been a longtime friend to BBP. This year, he lent so much of his time and his impeccable talents to BBP’s Idaho Gives campaign. All of the videos we shared during that campaign were directed and produced by Jeff. This campaign would have easily costed BBP several thousands of dollars, and Jeff provided his services to us at no cost. Thank you, Jeff!

2021 Business Stokers

Primary Health Medical Group - You probably know by now that every time we give a child or teenager a BBP bike, we also provide a helmet, lights, and a lock. You may not know that every single helmet has been generously sponsored by Primary Health Medical Group. Their longstanding commitment to BBP’s mission has impacted thousands and thousands of children, keeping them safe and their explore their communities on their new bikes.

Cole Architects - Cole has been making a measurable impact on our work for the past 2 years. In 2020, their title sponsorship of our Appreciation Party was what made it possible for us to gather together after so much physical separation and—dare I say—loneliness. Last year, BBP successfully hosted one of the year’s very few in person events—our movie night at Idaho Botanical Garden—and it was only possible because of Cole Architects. In 2021, Cole doubled down on their commitment to us, and they sponsored the purchase of our four new Pedal Powered Stage bikes. The best thing about these bikes is that they belong to BBP forever, and we’ll experience Cole’s impact long into the future, each and every time we pedal-power an event!

BBP Staff Bull Moose Award

Every year, all BBP team members vote to select their peer who has shown an elevated commitment to the mission and to the team.

Devin McComas - I’m sure each and every team member would happily chime in about what makes Devin so great, but since I’m the one writing this recap, I’ll share (just) one of the many things I appreciate about Devin. I had the opportunity to meet Devin’s mom at Boise Goathead Fest, and I remember telling her …when things get stressful or we’re coming down to the wire on the work we need to do, I can feel myself start to react with stress. I always look to Devin who is so good at remaining calm and balanced under pressure. He is a grounding force on our team. -Emily

Leading up to the event, and at the event itself, we sold tickets for what we deemed the raddest bike raffle of all time. We were delighted to see how many folks ooooh’d and ahhhhh’d over the bikes during the event. Ultimately, we sold just about 250 total raffle tickets for the four bikes, and our winners were…

Cervélo S5: Cathy Doherty

Rivendell Clem Smith Jr: Erik Olson

Rivendell Cheviot: Beck Goodloe

Surly Long Haul Trucker: Edwina Barats

It was particularly endearing to watch Beck literally jump for joy when his name was called. That’s the true embodiment of why we hosted the raffle in the first place. We wanted these very special bicycles to be available to the community at large, and we wanted them to spark joy for the winners.

In addition to PacificSource, lots of others from around the community chipped in to make our event possible. Always our dream partner, Lost Grove donated the rental fee for their taproom. Split Rail Winery and Idaho Wine Merchant donated wine. And the following organizations donated items for our silent auction…

Bogus Basin, The Modern Hotel, Discovery Center, The Flicks, The Commons Climbing Gym, Zoo Boise, Let’s Roam, City Peanut Shop, Tri Town Bicycles, and The Morrison Center. BBP Board Members Laura Chiuppi, Rob Fisher, John Ottenhoff, and John Freeney also contributed items for the auction.

What’s next you ask?! It’s GO TIME for the 15th Annual Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway, and you can rest assured that we have a full plan for how you can be involved coming your way very soon.!