A Surprise Bike Building Event Comes to Colton by Kayla Sheldon - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

A Surprise Bike Building Event Comes to Colton

By Kayla Sheldon, Staff Writer
December 23, 2015 at 08:37am. Views: 170

Santa Claus came early this year and he brought the Helpful Honda Guys in Blue with him as they made a stop in Colton at the VFW this past Tuesday, Dec. 15, for a “random act of helpfulness”. With the instrumental help of the SoCal Honda Dealers Guys in Blue, Seeds of Hope Outreach, and community member Tracylyn Sharrit, 27 children within the Colton area were surprised with their very own bicycle. Although the bikes received all the spotlight, everyone was also treated with a pizza party, arts and crafts, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Along with the bike, each child received a lock, a customized “Helpful” license plate, and their choice of helmet. A few Colton Police Officers attended the event to participate in the event and provide brief instructions and lessons about bike helmets and safety. According to SoCal Honda’s Lauren Kay, Seeds of Hope was responsible for gathering a group of children that were very deserving of receiving their own bike. Gloria Gaona, Seeds of Hope Executive Director who played a strong role in making this event possible, explained that most of the children have never owned a bike before; therefore this event was especially significant to them. In fact, some of the kids were unaware that the bike they were building was theirs to keep. “Those that don’t know that they are getting a bike today were just told to come here for a pizza party, make some arts and crafts and to help with a project,” SoCal Honda’s Tracy Gulermo said. Little did they know that the entire event was for them. San Bernardino resident and community advocate Tracylyn Sharrit was also an instrumental force behind the event. In fact, she was the one that initially came up with the idea for kids to help build their own bikes. “It went so well the first year that they have been doing it ever since,” she explained. “I just feel so fortunate to have this ongoing relationship. I get to know people like Gloria.. she’s involved with so much she deserves to have this program.” Sharrit mentioned that this event is extremely special because the kids don’t only get a new bike but they get to learn while building it. “This is just one of the neatest events because it has so many different arms to it than one may think,” she explained. “They get to learn about their bike and be a part of the building process which makes it a little more special knowing you did it yourself.” One the many well-deserving children to receive a bike was ten-year-old Wilson Elementary School student Breanna Maturino. Her mother Marlene said while watching her build her new bike, “She was so excited when she found out.. it’s definitely an upgrade.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 527

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 762

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1885

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 577

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1043

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 502

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 568

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1309

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 609

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 464

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 769

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 720

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->