Alabama Ashley dealer helps nearly 3,000 kids get bicycles

Nearly 3,000 children will receive bicycles this year thanks to a campaign hosted by Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Huntsville, Ala.

This is the ninth year the retailer has hosted the Bikes or Bust campaign, which benefits the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots holiday program.

The Nov. 18-22 event brought in a record 2,849 bicycles. As part of the campaign, Mojo, a morning show host from local radio station 104.3, urged listeners to donate a new bike or money while he spent 104 hours on a 40-foot scissor lift in temperatures that dropped in the low 20s.

Woody Marks, owner of the Huntsville store, said he was pleased with the record-breaking campaign.

“A bike is one of our first freedoms as a child,” he said. “I love being able to have this opportunity to make a difference.”