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Bicycle Drive Tries To Ride Through Rough Economy

Tribune file photo (2007)

Alex Cook fears this will be the first year Alex’s Xmas for Kids doesn't reach its goal of bicycles to give to needy children.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: December 20, 2008

TAMPA - Alex Cook loves to imagine 800 children pedaling Christmas morning on bicycles his customers, family and friends helped buy.

"That's pretty incredible," Cook said – but nothing like the 1,416 bicycles they purchased with donations for children last year.

The tight economy has pinched even charities like Cook's annual bicycle drive for needy children, called Alex's Xmas for Kids.

"This might be the first year we didn't reach our goal," said Cook, who had hoped to give away 1,450 bicycles this year.

Cook, 45, owns Alex's Southern Style Bar-B-Q at 5362 West Village Drive in Tampa. He started the giveaway nine years ago, remembering how he grew up among nine siblings in Alabama. He was the youngest of six boys – all of them sharing a bicycle.

"Every kid wants a bike on Christmas Day," he said. So he bought 10 bicycles for charity. Hearing about the purchase, his customers asked if they could help.

"Next thing you know, we had 182 bikes," he said. "I always say it's not me; it's my customers. They took it and ran with it."

That first year, Cook and friend Elizabeth Brennan delivered the bicycles personally, but "we just got too emotional," Brennan said. "He's crying, I'm crying, the kids are crying."

Now Cook and his helpers contact Hillsborough County elementary schools for lists of about a dozen each who want a bicycle. They also reach out to churches and other charities. They buy 20-inch bicycles from Wal-Mart for about $45 each, targeting children ages 7 to 12.

The bicycles purchased so far have all gone to the children identified by the county schools, Cook said. He would like to donate bicycles to as many ministries as he can by Christmas Eve.

The day after Christmas, he'll start collecting for next year.

"People walk in the store and just drop money into the little blue box that we have. Anything they want to give helps," he said. "There are 800 kids out there that we know are going to get something for Christmas."

To donate, visit the restaurant or mail a check to the restaurant payable to Alex's Xmas for Kids. The donation is tax-deductable. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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