The McKenzie Elementary School blacktop looked like it would if the district canceled bus service and every child had to ride a bike.
But that wasn't the case Saturday, Nov. 6. It was just collection day for Pedal Power, an organization started by Wilmette fifth-grader Nicole Basil.
Pedal Power, in its third year, collects used bicycles every fall and donates them to children in Chicago schools.
On Saturday, with Pedal Power now collecting in four communities, the organization totaled 274 bikes to give to good students in Chicago schools.
"It's going great. We were able to get a lot of bikes," said Nicole, who said she loves to see all the bikes in the lot.
Pedal Power was also able to garner a donation of $1,800 from Mesirow Financial thanks to Hailey Shevitz, another Wilmette child.
Shevitz wrote to her father's company about the program and Mesirow donated the $1,800 so Pedal Power could purchase helmets to go along with the bikes.
Mike Basil, Nicole's father, said with the funds, Pedal Power purchased 440 helmets.
The bikes were packed up in a Budget truck and transported to five Chicago elementary schools -- Pilson, Lewis Armstrong, William Brown, Phoebe Hearst and Cesar Chavez. The group drove the bikes down on Saturday.
The bikes are given to students who perform well in school. Pedal Power leaves it up to school officials to decide precisely how to distribute the bikes, which is Nicole's favorite part.
"Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces is amazing," she said.
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