Bike Project
The Rotary Club of Cameron Park is busy all year long getting bikes to those in need.

Our partners are the Department of Corrections, Waste Management, Union Gospel Mission, Veterans Administration, local schools and more. 

More than 200 bicycles, refurbished by one Folsom State Prison (FSP) inmate, rolled out of the front gate en route to numerous area children in need through a partnership between the prison and Cameron Park Rotary Club.

The FSP bicycle donations are a Christmas season tradition that began in 1986. Bicycles are donated throughout the year and are refurbished by inmates who work full-time in the bicycle shop, which is stocked with supplies through the Rotary’s long-time program.

This year, inmate Mauricio Argueta stepped up as the sole program member, restoring hundreds of bicycles by himself, assisting the program in distributing a record number of bicycles.

“Folsom State Prison is proud to be a part of such a positive program that gives back to the community and those in need. We couldn’t possibly have a better partnership than with Joe Ryan and the Cameron Park Rotary Club,” said Lt. Jack Huey of FSP. “They have been instrumental in keeping the program going year after year.”

Among the many members of FSP staff, inmates, volunteers and Rotarians on site Tuesday was Ryan, who has been involved with the program for more than 20 years. Like the others, he’s thankful to those who contributed to the record numbers this year and was looking forward to delivering many bikes and helmets to the various communities.

“It’s a wonderful program that has evolved into a year round operation providing quality bicycles to needy children and adults, and I think I can speak for all of the many people involved when I say it is even more special now during the Christmas season," he said.

Last year, the program was just short of 200 bicycles to distribute. Tuesday, more than 200 made their way to various locations to make Christmas a little brighter for others.

This article is quoted from the Folsom Telegraph