We are proud to announce that for the 19th consecutive year, the OCBF and the Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton (“ASYMCA”) are once again partnering to support our young enlisted Marine and Navy service members and their families based at Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms and San Diego by providing bikes, helmets, and toys to hundreds of military children this Holiday season!
Since 2005, the ASYMCA has given bicycles to deserving, junior enlisted service members and their families. Because the ASYMCA does not receive federal funding and must rely on the local community for support, the OCBF has supported the bike giveaway effort since 2006. A tax-deductible donation of just $65 buys a child a new bike and helmet. Again this year you have the option to allow the ASYMCA to use your donation toward its greatest need for holiday program participants by noting “General Holiday Support” in the “leave a comment” section of the online donation form.
With OCBF assistance last year, 309 bikes and helmets were given to military children living at Camp Pendleton! This achievement is the result of your support. With “donor fatigue” from natural disasters, inflation, and troop deployments into Europe and the Middle East, there is a shortage of funding. Moreover, supporting our troops isn’t as popular within the community at large as it once was. The OCBF has again agreed to assist to make sure that these critical programs continue. We would like to ensure a minimum of 300 bikes are available this holiday season and we will hopefully be able to exceed that minimum.
To achieve our goal, we are asking that each member make a tax-deductible contribution to the ASYMCA. Donations can either be made by a check payable to “Armed Services YMCA,” with “OCBF Bike Giveaway” or “General Holiday Support” written in the memo section or can be made online HERE. Checks should be mailed directly to the ASYMCA:
Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton
Attn: OCBF Bike Giveaway
P.O. Box 207
Oceanside, CA 92049
Please have your donations arrive by December 1, 2024 so that the funding can be available for bike purchases. For many of the junior enlisted and their families living in the high-cost area of Southern California, a bike is out of their reach, so your contribution to the event will be a very significant gift.
Thank you for your kindness and making this holiday season a brighter one for our Marines, Sailors and their families.
Very truly yours,
Marshall Hogan
President, OCBF
