LOS ANGELES – (Dec. 20, 2020) – Two hundred more children will be riding around on shiny new bicycles in Southern California soon. The bikes were donated to southland children in need on Friday, December 18, at the drive-thru donation events at three Los Angeles-area Boys & Girls Club locations. The event, called Bikes for Kids, came just in time for the holidays and was hosted by Pechanga and the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund.
While Boys & Girls Club kids were excited about their new bikes and helmets to match, they also received a surprise of a lifetime when Chargers cornerback Michael Davis appeared on the big screen. Since he couldn’t be there in person to help hand out bikes due to COVID-19, he was there virtually to wish the kids happy holidays.
“Southern California has been home to the Pechanga people for thousands of years, so we are proud to continue the long tradition of helping our community,” said Jared Munoa, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “Our Tribe knows what it’s like to struggle, and we’ve all seen our share of challenges this year. But together we are persevering, just like those who came before us. That’s why we are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Club to provide 200 deserving children with a brand new bicycle just in time for the holidays.”
Although Pechanga’s reduced operations looked much different this past year because of COVID-19 precautions, it doesn’t take away the importance of maintaining the important traditions of helping the community and funding essential governmental services.
Bikes for Kids happened shortly after Pechanga donated toys, gifts and funding for children and families in need through four venerable Southern California charities – ABC7’s Spark of Love, the Marines’ Toys for Tots, the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation, and the SEBA Shop with a Cop experience. The funds and gifts totaled nearly $30,000.
For more information about how Pechanga has been giving back during the pandemic, visit www.pechanga.com/community-outreach-during-pandemic.