The Rotary Club of Cameron Park Bicycle Program, chaired for many years by Joe Ryan, is a beloved community service project centered on recycling, rehabilitation, and restoring hope. Partnering with El Dorado Disposal and Folsom State Prison, the club rescues discarded bicycles and turns them into opportunities. Inmates refurbish the bicycles in a dedicated workshop as part of a vocational training and rehabilitative program. Bicycles that cannot be repaired are responsibly recycled, with proceeds used to purchase replacement parts and safety helmets.
The Rotary program also accepts year-round donations of bicycles, parts, and tools from the community, supplemented by regular contributions from Trek Bicycle in El Dorado Hills and Folsom along with other local bicycle shops. Recently, the Rotary Club partnered with second and third grade students at the Golden Hills School in El Dorado Hills, who collected 26 bicycles, along with parts and repair materials, during their B.L.A.S.T. (Bringing Leadership and Service Together) Day, bringing education and service together in a meaningful way.
At Folsom State Prison’s annual Christmas Bike Donation Program on December 11, Rotarians Gary Clarke, Don Fuller, Dan Gott and Marlyn Pino-Jones assisted in the distribution of 150 bikes to non-profits. Bikes were provided to the Folsom Moose Lodge, Union Gospel Mission, Lao Family Community Development, and Ukrainian refugees in Sacramento County, and to Euniece Law the Legacy Continues in Alameda County- just in time to bring holiday joy and reliable transportation to families who need it most.
This innovative program exemplifies Service Above Self, delivering environmental benefits, valuable job skills, and meaningful community impact.