Billy’s Bike Rentals staff

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2013) – Billy’s Bike Rentals of Sanibel donated more than 50 bikes from his rental inventory to adults and families in need through Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. on Monday, Dec. 17.

Delivering the bikes to both CCMI locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Billy’s Bike Rentals provided 22 adult (26” single and multi-speed) bikes, 20 kids (20” and 24”) bikes, 12 trailer bikes, 10 child bike seats, saddles and helmets.

CCMI worked with its current group of social-service clients to determine which adults and children were in need of bikes.

“For many of our clients, owning a car is not an option, so we were thrilled when Billy offered to supply the very resource needed to get people we support back on their feet,” said Roger Mercado, division director of social service and education at CCMI. “Understanding our client’s employment challenges, financial struggles and history, we were able to match the resources Billy provided to clients who are working with our staff to set and reach goals individually and for their families. CCMI is very appreciative of Billy’s generous donation and look forward to creating a better future for the community we support.”

Billy and Salli Kirkland are the owners of Billy’s Rentals, Billy’s Bikes, Billy’s Tractor Service and now Segway of Sanibel—all on Sanibel Island. Billy has been on the islands renting sailboats, giving lessons, renting bikes and providing beach services at some of the best resorts for the past 30 years. He was one of the first operators to establish beach service and sailboat rentals on Fort Myers Beach. For the past 20 years, he has exclusively been on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. At his location at 1470 Periwinkle Way, he rents motor scooters, surreys, bikes and all the extras including an array of beach equipment.

CCMI is an innovative nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. The agency provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Everyday Café and Marketplace and Home Delivered Meals programs. CCMI also educates 40 children in its Community Montessori, offers homeless and comprehensive case coaching services through its United Way Resource House, oversees an emergency mobile food pantry and supplies weekend backpacks full of food to more than 2,500 children each school year.

CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. CCMI works in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, Harry Chapin Food Bank and various community foundations as well as collaborating with fellow community and service groups including The School District of Lee County and numerous churches, businesses and community support organizations.

For more information, call 239-332-7687 or visit www.ccmileecounty.com.

Bike donation at CCMI in Cape Coral

Billy Kirkland, Roger Mercado and Dan Moser

Damien, Elayshia and Heather Washington