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Beloit companies work together to give away bikes

JANESVILLE — Several companies in Beloit have stepped up to a neighbor’s challenge to make Christmas a little brighter for families in need.

The result is 123 new bicycles that will make find themselves under local Christmas trees.

It started a couple years ago when employees at Genencor in Beloit heard that the Salvation Army’s toy shop was able to give away only two bikes at Christmas.

“We thought we could at least raise enough for 10 bikes the following year,” said Jennifer Griffith, the human resources manager at Genencor, a developer and manufacturer of industrial enzymes.

The Beloit company, which has about 60 employees, last year was able to raise enough money to buy 36 bikes for the Salvation Army.

“Thirty-six bikes was huge,” said Helen Crary, the Salvation Army’s volunteer coordinator of donations.

This year, Genencor challenged other businesses in the Gateway and I-90 industrial parks to raise money to buy bikes.

Thanks to the generosity of employees at Genencor, Allied Games, Kettle Foods and Specialty Tools, the Salvation Army will be able to distribute 123 bikes purchased with the help of the local Menards and Walmart.

“Absolutely amazing,” said Crary, who will be on hand today to accept the donations that Christofferson Moving has agreed to transport to space donated by auto dealer Roger Bryden.