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You’ve heard the saying “it takes a village”, and every year during the holidays, the city of Louisville lives up to its name of being a compassionate city. On Monday morning, a band of elves filled the parking lot of United Auto Workers Local 862 to culminate the annual Bikes or Bust.
“We had over 30 labor unions and 20 business partners, so we’re very grateful,” shared Labor Liaison Tim Sanders with Metro United Way.
Just as they have been for many years as a proud sponsor, members of Louisville Water’s union, Local 1683, were there to lend a hand.
“It’s good to know that my union is supporting stuff like this. It makes me feel good to be a part of that community,” Probationary Field Technician Khalil Veneable-Collins said about his first time at the event.
Bikes or Bust holds a special place in the heart of Nicole Humphrey, the president of Jefferson County Association of Educational Support Personnel Local 4011.
“I’m just excited to see and to give back to the students that we actually see every day and we want to always support (this). A bike is something that they’re going to use constantly, from now until they outgrow it. It’s a gift that keeps giving,” Humphrey said.
It’s that spirit of giving that inspired Louisville Water Manager of Employee and Labor Relations Kendall Boyd to participate on his day off work.
“As a community partner, it’s important that we show up and lend our support to these important causes, even if it means doing so on my day off, because the joy that these children will have by receiving a bike as a gift for the holidays makes it all worth it.”
“This is the most bikes I’ve ever seen in one place,” Veneable-Collins exclaimed.
In all, Bikes or Bust 2025 collected a record 2,565 bicycles for Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and other organizations. That’s music to the ears of Q103.1 and its DJs who camped out in the parking lot for four days to promote the event.
“This is my wheelhouse,” Metering Specialist Eric Jameson said as he helped retrieve some of those bikes to load onto trucks. Jameson was part of the group who made one of the special deliveries.
“The bikes delivered to Perry Elementary School by the Louisville Water Company today has truly been a blessing,” said Andrew Glover, the school’s family resource coordinator. “A large portion of our population just got over the worries of where their next meal was coming from. A donation such as this will help ease the pressure of the holidays, allowing families to focus more on life, family, and hope during this holiday season.”
And for thousands of local children, it will be one to remember as they ride around the block in style and safely. Ford Community Relations teamed up with Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky to purchase bike helmets.
