PHOENIX – ABC15 kicks off the 2020 Second Chance Bike Drive campaign today to help Arizona families.
Throughout the month of September, Earnhardt Auto Centers and ABC15 will generate awareness about the need for new and used bicycles at St. Vincent de Paul. These bikes will be provided to men, women and low-income families needing affordable transportation.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, St. Vincent de Paul volunteers will be at Earnhardt Auto Centers from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. collecting donated bicycles from the community at 19 dealerships throughout the Valley:
Earnhardt Auto Locations
Earnhardt Buick GMC 6315 E Auto Park Dr Mesa 85206
Earnhardt Cadillac 7901 E Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd Scottsdale 85260
Earnhardt Chandler Cadillac 1450 S Gilbert Rd Chandler 85286
Earnhardt Chevrolet 2121 N Arizona Ave Chandler 85225
Earnhardt Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 1521 E Drivers Way Gilbert 85297
Earnhardt Ford 7300 W Orchid Ln Chandler 85226
Earnhardt Honda 10151 W Papago Fwy Avondale 85323
Earnhardt Hyundai Avondale 10401 W Papago Fwy Avondale 85323
Earnhardt Hyundai North Scottsdale 8445 E Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd Scottsdale 85260
Earnhardt Kia 2121 E Bell Rd Phoenix 85022
Earnhardt Lexus 800 E Camelback Rd Phoenix 85014
Earnhardt Volkswagen 1489 E Motorplex Loop Gilbert 85297
Earnhardt Toyota 6136 E Auto Loop Ave Mesa 85206
Earnhardt Peoria Kia 17431 N 91st Ave Peoria 85382
Rodeo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 35747 N Ellsworth Rd Queen Creek 85142
Rodeo Ford 13680 W Test Dr Goodyear 85338
Rodeo Hyundai 12925 N Autoshow Ave Surprise 85388
Rodeo Kia 10685 W Papago Fwy Avondale 85323
San Tan Hyundai 3252 S Auto Way Gilbert 85297
Other ways to donate include:
On Thursday, Sept. 17, ABC15 will host a phone bank from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. to collect cash donations for the effort. Those donations will go towards the program including buying bike supplies like tubes, tires, new seats and cleaning supplies.
On Friday, Sept. 25, ABC15 will be live from Earnhardt Lexus in Phoenix from 11a.m. – noon and from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. encouraging people to donate bikes.
ABC15 also will highlight the need in the community through stories both on-air and on digital platforms.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Bike Shop has been repairing bikes for nearly 10 years. Bikes are distributed through St. Vincent de Paul’s Resource Center and they are typically given to people who need a low-cost form of transportation to get to school and work. Over the holiday season, children’s bikes may be provided to young dining room guests who achieve academic goals at school. In addition to providing bikes to people in need, the bike shop also gives residents the opportunity to volunteer in the shop and refurbish bikes to be sold at SVdP’s thrift stores. The funding generated through the sales of bikes go directly to support SVdP’s programs and service.
“A bike has the power to completely change a person’s life,” said Shannon Clancy, associate executive director at St. Vincent de Paul. “When one of our guests experiencing homelessness or living in our transitional shelter receives a bike, the world opens a little wider to them with additional job opportunities and means of everyday living. And a child recipient has reliable transportation to and from school or the chance to explore their neighborhood or get together with friends. This increased access to opportunity is why each and every bike donation is so important and why we can’t thank the community enough for helping us offer hope to the people we serve.”
“Earnhardt Auto Centers and ABC 15 have partnered for years to bring smiles to the faces of foster kids and those in need here in Arizona. At Earnhardts, we’re in the business of people and transportation...and of supporting the communities that support us,” says Hal Earnhardt III, president of Earnhardt Auto Centers. “It’s no secret that Tex loved the Valley and loved helping those in need, both young and old…investing in the future of our communities.” Hal continues, “This annual effort has always been near and dear to our hearts – as it was Tex’s. The participation from the Phoenix-area community, combined with the enthusiasm of our staff has been amazing and we look forward to doing this each year …and growing it. The program has evolved this year to partner with St Vincent de Paul to help provide transportation to those in need and working to get back on their feet.”
“The number of bicycles donated is growing each year and as a result, even more deserving folks will get to experience the joy of getting a bike – something everyone young, old and in-between should get to experience,” says Derby Earnhardt, Tex Earnhardt’s grandson. “We absolutely love this program and are looking forward to participating again this year and working with great program partners like ABC15 and St. Vincent de Paul!”
For more information go to abc15.com/bike.
For Media inquiries, contact:
Suzanna Stanton
Community Manager
602-685-3019
About Scripps The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of local and national media brands. With 52 television stations in 36 markets, Scripps is one of the nation’s largest independent TV station owners. Scripps runs a collection of national journalism and content businesses, including Newsy, the next-generation national news network; podcast industry leader Stitcher; the fast-growing national broadcast networks Bounce, Grit, Escape, Laff and Court TV; and Triton, the global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”
About Earnhardt Auto Centers:
Earnhardt Auto Centers is one of the oldest and largest auto groups in the southwest. It was founded in 1951 by Tex Earnhardt. Tex’s sons, Hal and Jim Babe joined him in the business and eventually so did his grandsons, Dodge, Derby and Bull. Earnhardt Auto Centers has experienced phenomenal growth for nearly 69 years. It now has 23 dealerships offering 17 different franchises located in Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Goodyear, Avondale, Phoenix, Peoria and even Las Vegas. The auto group also has nearly 3,000 employees (full and part-time) and has recently been ranked one of the largest Phoenix-Area Family Owned Businesses by the Phoenix Business Journal. The Earnhardt family’s dedication to the well-being of both their employees and surrounding communities is legendary. The concept of “giving back” is something Tex Earnhardt instilled in his family and employees and is something that will continue to be a part of the Earnhardt’s “No Bull” culture for generations to come.
About St. Vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul [stvincentdepaul.net] is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people in need and providing others with the opportunity to serve. SVdP has been assisting central and northern Arizona families since 1946 and has more than 80 parish satellite locations. It offers services for the homeless, medical and dental care for the uninsured, charity dining rooms, transitional housing and homelessness prevention assistance.
