Mississippi Power donates 150 bikes to Salvation Army Angel Tree

For decades, Mississippi Power has donated bikes to children during the holidays.

Children across the Gulf Coast are having their wishes granted this Christmas thanks to Mississippi Power and The Salvation Army. They have collected 150 bikes and helmets.

Some might remember that feeling when you received your first bike, especially the feeling when the training wheels came off.

This is an experience Mississippi Power is driven to give to children.

Plant Watson employees help fundraise and load bikes into a trailer and The Salvation Army distributes the bikes along with other gifts.

“This is something that our employees are very passionate about because they’ve been doing it every year,” said Kaila Moran Griffith, spokeswoman for MS Power. “Salvation Army has been a wonderful partner with us this season because we know the bikes are going to go to where they are needing the most… I wouldn’t know what kid wouldn’t want a bike under the tree at Christmas.”

Major Jerry Friday, Mississippi Gulf Coast area commander for The Salvation Army, spoke about his childhood with a bike, “There’s something about a bicycle. It makes you independent.. to be able to get on that bicycle, ride around the neighborhood, and meet up with your friends. What memories we have, I mean, I remember as a child every single day when I got off that school bus, I was on that bicycle.”

There are still angel tree children who need presents for Christmas. You can drop off toys at any Salvation Army location.