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Building a Stronger Community
Copyright 2008 - Elves & More of Northeast Ohio
Contact: info@elvesandmoreneo.org
How do you select the neighborhood?
We keep our neighborhood a secret until just minutes before the big event. With the exception of only a few select individuals, nobody knows exactly where we are going until just moments before leaving the main staging area. We do this because we just can't take a chance on that information being leaked. Not only would it would ruin the element of surprise but we would inevitably be delivering bicycles to families that did not actually live in the target area. With that being said, we chose the name Elves & More of Northeast Ohio, because that is our target area. Northeast Ohio. In our first year we delivered 400 bicycles to an area of Akron in the North Hill community. In our second year we delivered 1,000 bicycles to the Summit Lake Neighborhood in Akron. In 2008, we plan on delivering 1,500 bicycles or age appropriate gifts to an area that needs some joy and hope somewhere in Northeast Ohio and just like in the previous two years, it will remain a secret.
What criteria is used in selecting the neighborhood?
We consider a few things when selecting a neighborhood. First we look at how many gifts we will be able to buy. Then we look at areas known to be plagued with poverty and crime. We want to go where we will make a difference. An important component to the area is that it should have some type of boundary. The neighborhood has to be defined. We will not have children standing on one side of a street wondering why the don't get to enjoy Christmas while children on the other side of the street are riding shiny new bikes. We look for natural boundaries like lakes, highways, industrial areas, etc. Once we narrow our search to a few neighborhoods where the demographics fit, we meet with local community centers and outreach programs to establish a reason why the children in each neighborhood would be the best choice. It is important to remember we don't just drop off bikes and run. We act as a conduit for the children in the neighborhood to ride their bikes to a community center, or other place where they may find a positive influence in their lives.
Do you provide helmets with the bikes?
In 2007 Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron became a partner with Elves & More of Northeast Ohio. Children's gave us an open commitment to put a helmet on every single bike we could buy. They have already re-committed for 2008 and plan on making this an ongoing relationship for the near future.
Are you involved with any safety and follow-up programs?
In 2008, Children's will host a Bicycle Safety Rodeo in the neighborhood of recipients. This is an event that Elves & More volunteers can also be part of. We plan on being present not just to promote the health and safety of cycling, but to also do any routine bicycle maintenance that may need to take place.
Do you provide locks with all of the bikes?
Unfortunately, we just don't have the money in the budget for locks. In Houston Texas, where this whole idea came from, they have found that because every kid in the neighborhood gets a bike, theft is almost non-existent. Kids don't feel a need to take what they already have.
We keep our neighborhood a secret until just minutes before the big event. With the exception of only a few select individuals, nobody knows exactly where we are going until just moments before leaving the main staging area. We do this because we just can't take a chance on that information being leaked. Not only would it would ruin the element of surprise but we would inevitably be delivering bicycles to families that did not actually live in the target area. With that being said, we chose the name Elves & More of Northeast Ohio, because that is our target area. Northeast Ohio. In our first year we delivered 400 bicycles to an area of Akron in the North Hill community. In our second year we delivered 1,000 bicycles to the Summit Lake Neighborhood in Akron. In 2008, we plan on delivering 1,500 bicycles or age appropriate gifts to an area that needs some joy and hope somewhere in Northeast Ohio and just like in the previous two years, it will remain a secret.
What criteria is used in selecting the neighborhood?
We consider a few things when selecting a neighborhood. First we look at how many gifts we will be able to buy. Then we look at areas known to be plagued with poverty and crime. We want to go where we will make a difference. An important component to the area is that it should have some type of boundary. The neighborhood has to be defined. We will not have children standing on one side of a street wondering why the don't get to enjoy Christmas while children on the other side of the street are riding shiny new bikes. We look for natural boundaries like lakes, highways, industrial areas, etc. Once we narrow our search to a few neighborhoods where the demographics fit, we meet with local community centers and outreach programs to establish a reason why the children in each neighborhood would be the best choice. It is important to remember we don't just drop off bikes and run. We act as a conduit for the children in the neighborhood to ride their bikes to a community center, or other place where they may find a positive influence in their lives.
Do you provide helmets with the bikes?
In 2007 Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron became a partner with Elves & More of Northeast Ohio. Children's gave us an open commitment to put a helmet on every single bike we could buy. They have already re-committed for 2008 and plan on making this an ongoing relationship for the near future.
Are you involved with any safety and follow-up programs?
In 2008, Children's will host a Bicycle Safety Rodeo in the neighborhood of recipients. This is an event that Elves & More volunteers can also be part of. We plan on being present not just to promote the health and safety of cycling, but to also do any routine bicycle maintenance that may need to take place.
Do you provide locks with all of the bikes?
Unfortunately, we just don't have the money in the budget for locks. In Houston Texas, where this whole idea came from, they have found that because every kid in the neighborhood gets a bike, theft is almost non-existent. Kids don't feel a need to take what they already have.