Boys and Women Membership members had a purchasing spree

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Academy Sports activities and the Panama Metropolis Police Division partnered to present new bikes and a purchasing spree to kids from the Boys and Women Membership of Bay County.

“It’s extraordinarily thrilling, we’ve obtained 25 first and second graders right here at the moment,” Boys and Women Membership of Bay County CEO Hank Hill mentioned. “Not solely did they get a free bicycle and helmet however they obtained a free purchasing spree.”

The occasion was necessary for all organizations concerned. The PCPD enjoys occasions like this one to strengthen its relationship with the youth.

“Throughout these Bike Rodeos and these occasions at Academy Sports activities it permits us to work together with the smaller kids and a few of the older kids to turn into higher aquatinted to study who they’re and for them to study who we’re,” PCPD Captain Chris Taylor mentioned.

The police division is grateful for the donation of the bikes and $50 present playing cards from Academy Sports activities.

“Offering these bicycles helps the Bike Rodeo and supplies higher neighborhood involvement for us to even additional this system,” Taylor mentioned. “To not having as many bikes previous to this, they got here in and crammed an enormous void for us in the neighborhood.”

For retailer supervisor Cody Johnson, this occasion was full circle.

“You realize, I grew up on the Boys and Women Membership so you understand having that relationship of once I was slightly child and seeing it now once I’m grown up and to offer again to the neighborhood, to see these children in my footwear ten years later it’s simply superior,” Johnson mentioned.

The purchasing spree was step one on this undertaking. On Sunday, the 25 kids will obtain their bikes on the PCPD Bike Rodeo occasion.

“Children from the Boys and Women Membership will be capable of decide their bicycles up. And there’s all types of motorbike security, there’s going to be a motorbike course there,” Corridor mentioned. “Clearly with children on the roads on bicycles, it’s critically necessary.”

The Panama Metropolis Police Division is happy for the Bike Rodeo and is trying ahead to instructing the children the right way to safely journey their new bicycles.

Together with the bikes and present playing cards, academy sports activities gifted a $750 present card so the membership can purchase any wanted tools.