Sandra Jackson                                                                 Valerie Lawson      
(713) 837-9164  office                                                       (713) 837- 9155  office
(832) 489-4045  cell                                                           valerie.lawson@houstontx.gov
sandra.jackson2@houstontx.gov                                
           

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER WITH BIKES FOR KIDS

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD), in partnership with Keep Houston Beautiful and DRC, Inc., is celebrating the spirit of giving this holiday season by donating 30 bicycles to boys and girls between the ages of 6-10. The bicycles were given away to pre-selected children and agencies on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at the Thomas "Buck" Buchanan Service Center.

Houston City Council members were asked for input on identifying deserving families, children and agencies and then each bike was given in a council member's name.

"This is the fifth year in a row we've been able to do this," said SWMD Director Harry Hayes. "We are pleased to be able to partner with Keep Houston Beautiful and DRC to spread some much needed holiday cheer to children, families, and deserving agencies."

"Keep Houston Beautiful is happy to be part of the Annual Kid's Holiday Bike Give-Away," said Keep Houston Beautiful Executive Director Robin Blut. "Nothing is better than seeing a child receive his or her first bike. There are always happy smiles all around!"

The Solid Waste Management Department provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally-sound and cost-effective. For more information, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/.

As a national award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Houston Beautiful has worked with all segments of the community for more than 30 years to educate and empower individuals to take greater responsibility for beautifying and enhancing Houston's environment. Each year's successes have created a cleaner and healthier city for all Houstonians. For more information, visit www.houstonbeautiful.org.

DRC Emergency Services is a national leader in emergency response. DRC has responded to virtually every major natural disaster that has occurred in the U.S. in the past 23 years, including numerous hurricanes, typhoons, floods, ice storms and tornadoes. DRC has numerous pre-event contracts with cities and counties along the Texas coast. DRC is the primary contractor for emergency debris removal with the city of Houston.