Ten years ago, Bobby Ray Self began donating children’s bikes to local nonprofit organizations at Christmas. Alone, he was able to give several to the various organizations, but he began thinking bigger.
As a member of a motorcycle group at the local American Legion, he shared his mission with other riders and soon they wanted to be part of his annual Christmas bike donation. By word of mouth, the next year more local bike clubs joined in, plus other veterans and friends.
This year, Self and his selfless group of friends donated more than 300 bikes and scooters to local organizations The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Goodfellows and Christmas Wish.
“It’s such a wonderful thing,” Self said.
He said in the beginning they only collected children’s bike donations, but for the past couple of years the organizations said they were seeing more requests for scooters. Self said that made it easier for donations since he typically purchases all of the bikes that stores have in the region.
Self said helping the less fortunate who might not have a Christmas without assistance motivates him, along with a genuine effort to help all people. Self spent much of his career helping others as an EMT.
However, he credits his upbringing by his grandparents as his main reason for his generosity. They owned a two-acre garden and often gave away most of what they grew.
“It was their generous spirit — taking vegetables, fish we had caught, and rabbits [from hunting] to people that need it,” he said. “That’s how I learned — by my elders. It is what made me who I am today.”
Self said that at the beginning of this year, he never would have believed it possible to donate more than 300 bikes and scooters, but he said the generous people of Owensboro came through.
He also had a friend, fellow motorcycle rider and auto shop owner Tony Lane, who allowed Self to use Tony Lane Auto to store the bikes. The American Legion, where the donations usually are accepted, hasn’t been open as much as normal because of the pandemic.
Lane also took it further by asking customers and friends to donate, and he also helped salvage and distribute the bikes.
Besides offering children the opportunity to be outside, exercising and being with friends, Self also believes that youth need to be taught to give.
“It warms the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I love seeing kids riding bikes.”
