VISION
We envision a future where every child around the world has the opportunity to own their own bicycle in order to lead healthy active lifestyles into their adulthood.
MISSION
The mission of the Angel Wheels Bike Build programs is to strengthen communities through gifting of bicycles to children in order to promote healthy living in childhood and beyond.
OUTCOMES
A child is 65% less likely to be obese as an adult if they begin riding a bike before the age of 12. Our programs reach as many children as possible to insure more become healthy adults.
About Bikes for Tykes
Bikes for Tykes is a volunteer organization of professional, retired, and active community members. Our members have devoted their spare time to repair, refurbish and rebuild bicycles that have been donated, collected, discarded into beautiful new bicycles for children of all ages.
Would you enjoy spending time doing little things that make a great difference in children’s lives? This is it! We need skilled and non-skilled mechanics, we’ll even help train you. We are looking for volunteers to help pick up and deliver bicycles, clean the shop, organize inventory and so much more.
Bikes for Tykes History
Founded in 1987, in Naples, FL, Bikes for Tykes® was developed from the simple idea that any child with a bicycle on their Christmas wish list should receive that all empowering and memorable gift, even if their family cannot afford one. The first child to have his Christmas wish granted was Joshua, age 6. His name was on a paper angel at a local restaurant that was trying to help some local, underprivileged children have a Christmas they would not otherwise have. Joshua received his reconditioned bike and thus the Bikes for Tykes, Inc. program was born. Since then, close to 40,000 children in the Naples area has received a bright and shiny reconditioned bicycle.
At Bikes for Tykes Inc., in Naples, Florida, we sand away the old paint; then primer and repaint the bikes with the current popular colors. We strip the rust from old wheels, replace the old worn tires, pedals, grips and anything else which will make the bike safe and new looking again. BIKES FOR TYKES has become one of the truest forms of “recycling.”
Reactions from our Bike Builds
Remember your first bicycle? That feeling of the wind in your face, the way it felt when you rode without training wheels the first time, how good it felt to ride with your friends.
There are children in your community who will never have that without your help.
When you do help, THIS is what it is like. Watch the video!
Board of Directors, Bikes for Tykes Inc.
Skip Riffle
Founder and CEO
Skip is the president and founder of Bikes for Tykes. He has donated over 40,000 thousand bicycles to underprivileged children and adults in the past 39 years. Skip has been a resident of Naples, FL for 52 years and a member of the Kiwanis Club for 38 years. He spent 50 years in the automotive business in sales and management here in Naples
Dave Pascale
President
Dave Pascale was the marketing director for First Energy Corporation for 43 years. Dave brings his immeasurable abilities to the Board of BFT along with untiring dedication to helping those in need here in S.W. Florida.
John Whipple
Vice President
John is a graduate of The University of Michigan and Wayne State University (Detroit). He has a BS and an MBA. He served as a industrial engineer and program manager at Chrysler Corp, Coopers & Lybrand, Timberland and Dell Industries. He is currently retired and has been a volunteer at Bikes for Tykes since 2015.
Bill Burton
MArketing Liaison
Patricia Tate
Teasurer
Now retired owner of Client Side, a pro bono firm that created websites for nonprofit organizations. Our work was a gift-in-kind to 501 (3)(c) organizations. Prior to our pro bono work, Client Side created in-house advertising agencies for Prudential-Bache Securities, Paine-Weber and Met Life. Graduate of Fordham University, New York, New York. Married, with four great kids and Mimi to eight grandchildren. Serving as Treasurer for Bikes for Tykes.
Chuck Krsacok
Secretary
Worked 38 years in manufacturing at Pentair(formerly Erico Products Inc.) East suburbs of Cleveland. 28 years as Exothermic department manager and inventory control. Currently retired and living in Naples since 2019, enjoying swimming, kayaking and visiting the many attractions in Florida. Happily involved with the Bikes for Tykes organization for two years now.
Jim Mastropiero
Grant Liaison
James(Jim) Mastropiero is a Red Bank, New Jersey native and has lived in Naples since 2017. He is a recent retiree of the United States Postal Service and now spends his time swimming, playing pickleball, as a volunteer at Bikes for Tikes and traveling with his wife JoAnn.
Bob Kurtz
BOARD MEMBER
Bio Info coming soon
Gone But Not Forgotten
Bikes for Tykes recognizes that every program, after a few years, has those very special volunteers that give of themselves to make our communities a little better. Upon the passing away of one of these special people, it is a loss to all.
Steve Sherman
Oct 1954 – July 2019
Robert G. Faist
April 1922 – July 2005
Dave Fulkerson
Feb 1927 – Aug 1996
Bill Wise
May 1919 – Aug 1997
Erik Nosera
July 1982 – Nov 1997
Sandra Tomlinson
Nov 1955 – June 1995