First, I would like to introduce myself. I’m Tiffany Taylor, a 39-year-old born and raised Michigan City, Indiana resident. I’m a full-time employed worker but also a mother to five children and happily married.

What started this all was my own kids and the two neighbor boys (who are brothers). All the children would all be outside playing and having a good time, then next thing my kids would decide they wanted to go ride their bikes. With that said, the neighbor boys would be left behind every time. This right there made my heart sink. To me, I feel no child should ever be left behind. I know times are tough in this day and age, but I felt I had and wanted to do something for them. So, Friday (5-20-25) afternoon this started to take motion.

So, like anyone else in today’s world, I took to social media and what better place to go to would be Facebook in my own town’s group of Michigan City, Indiana (uncensored-ish). So, I started making a post anonymously hoping for the best to see if anyone would be happy to donate a couple bikes for a good cause. In the middle of that, my stepson informs me that there are two more children (their sisters) in the same household. My mission at first was two but once informed my goal became four.

Once the post was made hoping for the best, comments started to pour in from the group members showing support/love and even help. I wanted to cry due to the community’s love for two children that were strangers to them. I was able to accommodate the four bikes in just one trip due to one family’s donation, which was much appreciated and couldn’t thank enough. Once the bikes were dropped off at my house, we immediately stored them in our garage, I locked up for the night. Keep in mind the brothers have no idea this is even happening still.

The very next morning, I was in the yard picking up sticks before mowing. The brothers were outside, saw me and yelled to see if my one of my stepsons was home. To my reply to them, I told them no but to come over any way. They made their way over and followed me to the garage. I opened up our garage, to what is now a garage full of bikes, and they noticed the new additions. They then asked what I was going to do with them. My reply back to them “well………. they are yours.”

The look on their faces would have melted your heart. They immediately gave me a huge hug followed up with a thank you. I told them that I had felt bad due to when my kids would be playing with them and all of a sudden, they would go ride their bikes and leave them behind. I told them I felt bad for that because I feel no child should ever feel left behind. So, I had to do something and took to social media, which Facebook was the choice. I posted an anonymous post in a community group I'm in, and the community came together to help make this happen.

After that the brothers discussed where they were going to journey off to. After a while the boys came back to the house for a pit stop telling me about what all they’ve been doing. Which in their riding adventure, they discovered four more kids in the neighborhood are in need of bikes as well. I told them I’ll do my very best on trying to get those children bikes as well.

To which brings me here, for I believe I have started something to which I heartily accept. Unfortunately, I do not have the funds to cover bikes and helmets for these children of our community. So, I ask of you please, community of Michigan City or whatever you are, could you possibly donate (not asking for cash) to help start getting these children bikes and helmets?

To me childhood is a very important part of life. We all know childhood is over in a blink of an eye. Let’s help these children of our community create memories to look back on. We all know memories will never fade.

After the brothers received their bikes two days ago, which bless their sweet little souls, they took flight on their journey around the neighborhood seeing if any other child was in need of a bike. Once they discovered children in, they did not hesitate to journey back to my house to inform me. They said they wanted to share the experience and wanted other children to feel the same way. This right here melted me for the act of doing something so pure of heart, how could I not continue and try more. I got the information needed to start my mission and started working.

Thankfully to the community on the previous post for asking for help in the beginning, I back tracked and contacted the donors informing them of the situation. They were more than happy to help still. So yesterday I was able to fit two bikes from two different families, in the trunk of my car. Once home, I stored them in the garage. While doing so, one of the brothers seen me and rode his bike over. He asked if those were for the children he and his brother had mentioned yesterday. I replied back with a huge smile, yes and I still have more to pick up, but I have to find a pickup to do so. He smiled, and then said I’m sure you’ll be able to find one.

After storing the bikes into our garage, I came into the house and started to think about pickup. Once I was able to locate someone with a pickup, I asked if they would mind helping me with a favor which was a very long text message. He did not hesitate and replied back with a “absolutely, want to do this tomorrow “. My response back was I first had to contact the donors to see if they’re able to due to the holiday. After checking to see if I had a pickup first, I then started to contact to see if they were available for pickups.

Though it was a holiday, the family still did not stand down to give the helping hand. Now when I say family, this implies more than one household that came together to make this happen. Yesterday I had one lady that wanted to donate and told me to swing by. After going to her home, they went into their garage and found the bike was it was MIA. She felt so awful, she said she would contact her daughter to see if she happens to have any that she would like to donate. I told her it was okay and not to feel bad about the bike and if she wanted to contact her daughter, I would deeply appreciate it.

After going home, the lady contacted me back and said that her daughter is more than happy to help out and she has some. I was touched. She informed me I would have to travel to Laporte for that is where the bikes are. Told her that was no problem at all. Once I was informed of the bikes and location, I took to the phone for the person that owns the pickup. Once he arrived, I hopped in his truck and off we went. When arrived I knocked on the door and announced who I was. The gentleman immediately oh yes and made his way outside. I followed him to where the bikes were and I was so tickled. There was definitely no way I would have been able to fit all of them in my itty-bitty car.

When the bikes were done being loaded up, I thanked the gentleman for this generous donation and gave him yet another hug (I’m a hugger, apologies). On the way back I was so excited to start cleaning up and checking tires/brakes, I know someone weird who’s excited to clean. Once we pulled up, it was obvious what I was doing. One of the brothers saw and said dang that’s a lot of bikes.

After taking the bikes in the garage, I started my work listening to tunes. I can say it felt great getting my hands dirty and greasy. Now that the bikes had air in the tires, I took those babies down the street making sure they were holding air and that the brakes were good. I’m sure it was a funny sight and a good laugh for the cars driving by seeing a 39-year-old woman riding an 18’ bike, then 16’ and finally a 20’.

When I felt these babies were ready for their new home, I made my way to the household. Which was perfect timing for they just pulled up and was about to go inside. I informed the mom that I have the bikes ready but unfortunately, I’m still in the works on the eldest daughter’s bike due to needing back rims on some of the mountain bikes. The daughter said she didn’t mind. Bless her soul.

I still have to admit, the looks on the children’s faces will still have my heart melting.

So yet again, I can’t THANK YOU enough Michigan City and now Laporte community, you are making these children’s summer! You ALL are amazing souls!

These kids are forever grateful and so am I.

With closing to the end of Part 2 of Bike Story, I would like to give a special thank you to

Olivia Crawford and family

Josh Hibner and family

Pamela Jean Bradford and family

Tabbatha Escobedo and family- Runs Boxing on Park in Laporte

And an anonymous individual who is associated with Renovation Church/Helping Hands, South Haven