Ramona sheriff, fire departments provide 30 bikes for kids

The atmosphere was festive at Ramona Fire Station No. 80 Friday evening, when officers and firefighters from the sheriff’s Ramona Substation and CalFire/Ramona Fire Department invited Smokey Bear to help them distribute 30 bicycles to local children.

This is the second year the two departments worked together on a Christmas Bicycle Program to present preselected deserving children with a free bicycle, helmet and bike lock.

Abandoned bicycles received by the Sheriff’s Department throughout the year were distributed among several sheriff’s stations in the county. The Ramona Substation received more than a dozen bikes that were then refurbished into like-new condition by firefighters from Ramona CalFire.

In addition, several new and used bicycles were donated to the event by deputies, officers and firefighters from the sheriff’s Ramona Substation and Ramona CalFire. Ramona Municipal Water District employees who contribute to the Employees Charity Fund donated $100 to purchase parts and helmets.

Epic Medics provided the protective bicycle helmets for each child receiving a bike, and sheriff’s Deputy Pamela Murphy, who helped organize the event the past two years, donated security locks for each bicycle.

Sheriff’s deputies and CalFire firefighters worked together to ensure this year’s event was the best yet. Ramona area schools, churches and community organizations identified the children, who range in age from 3 to 14.

Ramona Rite Aid Pharmacy donated a Christmas tree the firefighters decorated and after the event gave to a family that did not have a tree.

The event gave the children and their families an opportunity to visit with deputies, officers and firefighters from Ramona’s sheriff’s substation and fire department.