Students in Buckeye Career Center's Agriculture & Diesel Technology and Commercial Truck Technology programs repaired bicycles to distribute to needy families as part of this year's Share-A-Christmas campaign. Pictured are Gabe Gump, Dana Miller, Becky Amistadi, Jordan Yoder and Justin Kieffer, and Carrollton student Isaiah Wheatley. (Submitted photo)

New Philadelphia, Ohio -  Buckeye Career Center’s annual bicycle drive to benefit T-4-C’s Share-A-Christmas received a boost for the 2018 campaign. 

Community members and students donated 30 used bikes that were repaired by Agriculture & Diesel Technology and Commercial Truck Technology students, just in time for last weekend's toy distribution. 

New this year was the contribution of 22 brand-new bicycles from the BCC Adult Education Basic and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician classes.

EMT instructor Dana Miller, who also has a son in the high school Ag & Diesel program, explains that she challenged her Basic EMT students to contribute a couple of bikes. 

“I have a class of 20 students and thought they could put their money together and then it snowballed,” she said. 

Miller said it wasn't long before the Basic class asked the Advanced class to join the fun. 

“They either went and bought the bikes on their own or gave us money to make the purchases,” she said.

Emergency responders typically have caring hearts, so Miller wasn’t surprised by the generosity.

“They’re in EMS so they are already givers,” she said. 

One student stood out the most to Miller as she gave up her daily sweet tea purchase for a month to contribute to the bike drive. 

“I know it’s just sweet tea but it is something,” said Miller. “A lot of these students are single people, struggling and working hard taking this class. I know they don’t have the extra money but they still brought in bikes.” 

When asked which class won the bike drive, Miller’s assistant instructor Becky Amistadi simply replied “the kids.”

Buckeye students also repaired the bikes collected during the annual WJER RADIO - Indian Valley FFA Toy Drive and donated 5,177 non-perishable food items and 437 toys toward this year's Share-A-Christmas collection.

BUCKEYE CAREER CENTER