We’re 5 days out. Our 15th annual Holiday Kid’s Bike Giveaway is this Saturday, December 18.

I’m a big fan of the concept of Starting With the End in Mind. I learned this from a previous employer. It’s an idea centered around reverse engineering. If we begin with a vision of what success looks like at the end, we can then build toward the most epic level of success possible. So usually when I start a BBP project—whether it’s planning for Boise Goathead Fest, or supporting staff goals, or planning for another incredible Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway—I start by focusing on the end. What does success look and feel and smell and taste like? These visions for big projects are truly what get me out of bed every day.

There are a lot of factors I’m keeping in mind for how success feels at the end of HKBG 2021.

First, clearly, is that 514 kids left our space with their dream bikes. Bikes they dreamed about and we made possible, through funding and mechanics and some special (literal) bells and whistles. Bikes that will connect them to new opportunities and to a refreshing sense of freedom.

Second is that the event was safe, productive, enjoyable, and as warm as it could have been (we’re looking good with a forecast of sunny skies and temps in the mid-30s).

Third for me personally is that our BBP staff is well taken care of, fed, celebrated, and acknowledged.

And fourth, though maybe there’s no order priority after the first objective, is that our BBP community truly understands their impact. You are a big frikkin’ deal, and I need you to know that. Whether you donate funds or bikes, make cookies, or volunteer leading up to the event or on the day of the event, who you are and what you give matters. A lot.

There’s still a mountain of work that needs to be done between now—Monday 12/13 at 8:30PM—and Saturday morning. So I’m chiming in here to ask for your help to make our end vision possible.

Here are EIGHT ways you can make an impact on BBP’s 15th Annual Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway.

1. Adopt a Dream Bike bike or a few! Dream Bike adoptions are how we will make the magic happen. Our online Dream Bike store features all of the drawing and stories submitted by this year’s kids. You can peruse the store and choose the bike(s) that speak to you the most. Adopt away knowing that your contribution is what turns a regular ol’ bike into Dream Bike! Personal recommendation: adopt a blank application, because we never know the barriers that child faced to get their application submitted to us.

2. Sign up to volunteer. We rely on 70+ volunteers on Friday and 300+ volunteers on Saturday. Grab your friends, family, and coworkers and make it a group endeavor! (Pssst…having trouble with the volunteer facing site? Keep calm and remember that our teeny tiny team is working with minimal resources to pull off this event. If you can’t navigate to where you need to be, email us at info@boisebicycleproject.org so we can help).

3. Interpret at the Giveaway, or help us identify interpreters. We love our New American families and strive to create an inclusive experience. We need interpreters for many languages: Swahili, Arabic, and Spanish most of all. If you are able to help with interpretation on Giveaway day, please email us asap at info@boisebicycleproject.org

4. Make or purchase yummy treats for the event. In addition to providing 600+ bikes, lights, locks and helmets to our BBP kids, we want to welcome our guests with some tasty treats. The link gives you all the instructions for providing COVID safe and easy-to-distribute snacks.

5. Donate warm items like socks, hats, mittens, gloves, or coats. We know that our guests are facing other barriers, and staying warm is one of those barriers. Donate your gently used or new warm items by bringing them to us at BBP. Tuesday through Thursday from 10 to 5 is the best and most helpful time to donate.

6. Make a financial contribution. Perhaps a gift that’s larger than our Dream Bike range is more meaningful to you. Perhaps a smaller gift is more meaningful to you. What you can give matters to this event and the kids we’ll be serving.

7. DONATE USED KIDS BIKES IN GOOD CONDITION. It takes many, many hands to get 500+ bikes ready to roll away in one day. The sooner you can donate the better. We have a particular need for 16 inch and 24 inch bikes in good condition. Kids bikes are “sized” by the diameter of their wheels. On each bike tire, you’ll find a stamped-on size (something like 24x2.0), and that’s how you’ll know the size of the bike. Note: while we appreciate your good intentions to purchase and donate new bicycles, used bicycles do more good. Our skilled mechanics can refurbish bicycles so that they are even better than when they were brand new. If you have a bike that’s not clean and in working order, please hold onto it until 2022. We’ll happily take it then!

8. If there’s someone you love who supports BBP, give them an elbow bump or a hug or a high five. Throw in an extra one on my behalf. An experience of this size requires a LOT of support; and I’m thankful for each and every one of you.

Lastly, picture the beaming smiles on the faces of 514 kids. Picture them taking their first ride, after the snow has cleared. Imagine the way they feel and know that their connection to their new bicycles matters.

Thank you for believing. -Em