NOTEBOOK

Ride spreads holiday cheer to disadvantaged kids

By STEVE SIEVERT
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

The Christmas Lights Ride provides cyclists the opportunity to share in the spirit of the season while spreading holiday cheer to less fortunate Houston children.

Hosted by the Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association (GHORBA), the third annual ride departs from the Kroger store in River Oaks Shopping Center and takes riders on a 10- to 12-mile tour of decorated homes throughout the River Oaks neighborhood.

The Houston Police Department (HPD) Bike Patrol and GHORBA ride marshals are along for the ride to provide an escort and support for this family-oriented event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

The cost of the ride is $5, with proceeds benefiting HPD's Blue Santa initiative. The program began in 1984, when a handful of Houston police officers pitched in and bought toys for a dozen disadvantaged inner-city children.

Today, Blue Santa has blossomed into an HPD holiday tradition, with more than 1,100 officers providing new toys to nearly 2,500 Houston kids, who otherwise might not experience the joy of Christmas. Included in the gifts for the children this year will be approximately 500 bikes.

"HPD does a tremendous job all year long working to educate children about bike safety, and we wanted to show our appreciation by supporting their Blue Santa program," said Jaime Hendrixson, who heads up children's programs for GHORBA. "We had several volunteers help with building the bikes this year, and HPD thanked us for our help by donating seven bikes back to GHORBA. The bikes will be given to children in need through our affiliated kids programs."

More than 90 riders participated in last year's ride, and organizers expect to crack the century mark in participation this time around.

If you plan to ride to support this great effort, don't forget your five bucks, and bring your helmet. A red blinking light visible from rear, whether on you or your bike, is also a requirement for participation.