The Cochrane Kiwanis are just one day into their third annual spring bike collection campaign, and already five people have stepped forward to offer bikes that will find a new home with youth in need.

People interested in donating are welcome to send an email and a picture of the bike to: Kiwanis.Cochrane@gmail.com. A response will then be provided, including include information on where the bikes can be delivered.

The bikes collection days are Apr. 20 and 21 for those that haven't been delivered. They are then taken to a technician to make sure they are safe to use and stored until requests are processed.

"Some of those bikes are just fine to be given out, but we want to make sure from a liability standpoint that they have been verified by a bonified technician," explains Cochrane Kiwanis president Ron Gosselin.

This year, the emphasis is being placed on providing bikes to Ukrainian refugees, says club president Ron Gosselin.

Upon receiving a request, a form needs to be completed to make sure a suitably-sized bike is provided. 

He expects the bikes will be delivered to their new homes every few weeks. Each comes with a brand new safety helmet.

Gosselin says they expect to collect 20 to 30 bikes.

Kiwanis International is a global community of 550,000 members in 80 countries and geographical areas. Making a positive difference in the lives of youth is at the heart of the nonprofit service organization.