Employees of Murrey’s Olympic Disposal, Inc., of Port Angeles assembled and delivered 65 bikes for children in need that were then donated to and distributed by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.

Employees of Murrey’s Olympic Disposal, Inc., of Port Angeles assembled and delivered 65 bikes for children in need that were then donated to and distributed by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.

Employee ‘elves’ provide children bikes for Christmas

PORT ANGELES — When 65 children in the Port Angeles area wake up this Christmas morning, each will be greeted by a shiny new bicycle under the family holiday tree.

The bikes — ranging in size from toddler to adult — were bought and assembled free of charge by “elves” working for Murrey’s Olympic Disposal, Inc., of Port Angeles, said Chris Giraldes, district manager.

“As a whole, it is an amazing feeling to know that you are going to make such an amazing impact on a child’s life, and I think that is the biggest takeaway,” he said over the phone Friday.

“The employees were talking for days about how it made them feel. It is a huge morale booster, and who knows the effect it is going to have on the community and the kids. That is what is important.”

The bikes were purchased from Walmart with $3,000 in donations — half from employees and half in matching funds from the company’s Christmas Promise program, Giraldes said.

“We got the money [and] we purchased the bikes and helmets that go with each bike,” he said. “We ended up getting 65 of each.”

The company coordinated with Boys &Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula to distribute the bikes to kids in need, Giraldes said.

The bicycles were dropped off to the Boys and Girls Clubs officials Dec. 16, Giraldes said. The club officials gave them to the parents and guardians of underprivileged children for distribution on Christmas morning.

Putting together 65 bicycles is no easy task, but the employees were able to accomplish this feat in about three hours, Giraldes said.

“We had pizza, pop, water and juice and invited the families of the employees to come up and assemble the bikes and we had a great time,” he said.

Wave Broadband ran a line from the office to the shop so that employees assembling bikes could watch the Seahawks game while they worked, Giraldes said.

Each participant “pretty much went start to finish on every bike,” Giraldes said.

“We had a bunch of tools, and put some tool kits together and people assembled the bikes.”

A former bicycle builder was placed in charge of quality control, Giraldes said.

“We had an air-up station that, as the bikes ran through, we filled up the air and did a final check to make sure everything was good,” he said.

“It was really an outstanding event. The employees — I can’t speak highly enough about how they came together and really helped the community.”

This was the first time the company has purchased bikes for local children, Giraldes said, adding “it will be an annual event going forward.”

________

Features Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@ peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)
Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says

Public opposes rezone of Port Townsend park

City has funded housing site layout study

Port Townsend Food Co-op sets date for union election

Simple majority needed to approve ballot

OMC board seeking candidates to fill spot

Commissioners also make all seven positions at-large

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action