STEP UP AND EARN A BIKE
Read, Write & Ride
Bike Elf gives children and young adults brand-new bicycles for their participation in structured learning programs.
Our Mission
How it works
Bike Elf works through partner organizations – including Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley , Wesley House Community Center, and the Boys & Girls Club Smoky Mountains – to provide brand new bicycles to children and young adults who successfully complete an educational curriculum. Our slogan is Read, Write & Ride®, but we are all about the “read and write,” with the “ride” merely providing motivation.
Our program
Success stories
Since its start in 2015, Bike Elf has provided thousands of bicycles to young people in our community who earned them. These children learned the importance of focusing on a long-term goal and working toward that goal. While students view the bicycle as a reward, we know the true reward is their pride in accomplishment.
We need you!
Bike Elf runs entirely on the generosity and hard work of its donors, supporters, community organizations, partner companies, and volunteers. Our organization is run by volunteers, the curriculum is implemented through local nonprofits and schools, our new bikes are donated by companies or purchased by individuals, and all our events are organized and operated through our network of volunteers.
Right now, you can help.
Donate
Providing hundreds of brand-new bicycles every year costs money. Your tax-deductible financial contribution makes it possible for Bike Elf to function.
Sponsor
Bike Elf is always in need of corporate sponsorships. All sponsorship monies go directly to providing new bicycles through the Read, Write & Ride® program.
Volunteer
Throughout the year, Bike Elf conducts fundraisers, organized bicycle rides, and hosts bike giveaway ceremonies for program participants. All of this is organized and managed by volunteers.
Latest news
Stay up-to-date on Bike Elf and its Read, Write & Ride® program below.
Bring bike Saturday to B&G Club for Bike Elf donation
Who hasn’t thought about doing something to make a difference but let the impulse slip away? Rejoice! Opportunity awaits on Saturday. Just think of it as Christmas in June. This get-’er-done act of...
Rounding up support: Bike Elf launches fundraising campaign, sharing stories
When Dewayne and Leigh Wilson stood in their driveway in Townsend a little over two years ago with a dream of providing bicycles to children and youth who didn’t have one, they had eight used...
An Army of volunteers; Event puts focus on helping one another
(Maryville) Salvation Army, an organization mostly known for its Red Kettle campaign at Christmastime, held an event Thursday night to recognize the tireless...
Involvement
Partners and Affiliates
Bike Elf engages numerous organizations each year in affiliations, alliances, partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. These organizations, and the caring individuals who run them, share similar values and work to help Bike Elf find innovative ways to help children earn a bicycle through Read, Write & Ride®.
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“Dancing Bear Lodge has supported Bike Elf since 2016. The concept was easy for our staff to understand and to get behind particularly in conjunction with our annual Dancing Bear Lodge Bicycle Bash each September. Additionally, our staff was (and still is) captivated by the enthusiasm exhibited by the Wilson’s for the kids who earn the Bike Elf’s bicycles. Their partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Maryville has blossomed into something really special and we have been amazed by the growth of the Bike Elf over these past few years. We highly recommend Bike Elf for your sponsorship dollars so they can continue to motivate children to earn a bicycle through hard work and determination.”
Students
Partners
Bicycles
Volunteers
Elf up!
Bike Elf needs you right now. We always need new bikes and donations to support the purchase of new bicycles. Companies and individuals right here in East Tennessee help us survive – but we need you, too. Even if you cannot support us financially, won’t you join us and volunteer at our next event? Elf up and click the button below.
We do not accept used bicycles
Bike Elf does not and cannot accept used, refurbished or repaired bicycles. We only provide brand new, unused bicycles to our student participants and therefore have no need for used bikes. We appreciate your generosity, but we ask that you do not drop off used bicycles at our locations or events.