By Roslyn Ryan
Editor

Honestly, has there ever been a better toy for a child than a bicycle?

Bicycles are easy to use and tough to destroy. They don’t require batteries, or upgrades, or much more than a squirt of oil in the chain to keep them running. And they offer a child that magical thing that they’d otherwise have to wait years for: wheels.

Sadly, for so many children these days, particularly those whose families are feeling the sting of hard times, they are also out of reach.

For Pastor Johnathan Whichard and his wife, Kristi, this just won’t do. So he and his congregation are gathering together this holiday season to make sure any child in Powhatan or Cumberland who wants a bicycle can have one.

Whichard’s church, Bethesda Community Church, will be screening families this Friday and Saturday for its first-ever bicycle give-away. They are looking to give way at least 100 shiny new bikes to families who qualify, just in time for Christmas.

Friday’s screening will be from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday’s will run from 4-8 p.m.

The project came out of the Whichards’ desire to do something big this holiday season, something that would serve a need that might have been overlooked in the past.  “I’m interested in our church doing something that no other church wants to do,” he said.

Johnathan Whichard acknowledged that there are many worthy causes out there, but sometimes people overlook the needs of those close to home.
“If we don’t take care of the people in this community,” he said, “I feel like we are failing at the commission of Christ.”

The bicycles being given away will be purchased by church members from Wal-Mart—many of whom have already offered to purchase multiple bicycles—and Wal-Mart has offered to put the bicycles together.

The screening this weekend will be an opportunity for children to be measured and for families to offer verification that they meet the requirements to take part in the giveaway.
Any family attending the screening is asked to bring along a drivers license and proof of income, including a W2, a food stamp card and recent receipt or statement, and proof of residency. Children must be 14 or under and must be present at the time of the screening.

The church is located at 2480 Academy Road.For more information, please call (804) 598-7159.