Over $18,500 and 450 bicycles and scooters
had been given by the Club members
to the bicycle program for years 1992 to 2003 

Photo gallery on bikes

A letter by Vic Maria in 2002 to Nelle Spates and Lee Saladino, Houston Chronicle Goodfellows describes how the Bicycles for Christmas  originated.  “Shopping for one another for Christmas was becoming a stressful event for my wife and me.  About fifteen years ago my wife and I decided that we would no longer buy each other Christmas presents but would rather buy presents for foster children in the Three Wishes for Christmas program (letter dated September 1, 1995 from the Mathis described the Three Wishes for Christmas Program).  She would pick 3 girls to shop for and I would pick 3 boys.  It was fun.  Then one morning in 1991 after buying gifts for the boys I had selected I awoke thinking of three or four youngsters who had requested only one gift - A BIKE.  I could not think of any reason why I had not selected one of these youngsters who wanted a bike.  It was then that I thought of a way to make this happen." Thus  was the beginning of the bicycles for Christmas program. 

In 1991 Vic took two sets of Russian "Gorbie" dolls to Space Center Rotary Club and auctioned them, collecting $175 each.  That year he bought 7 bicycles and gave them to the 3 wishes program.  In 1992 he began soliciting donations from Space Center Rotary Club members and purchased 12 bicycles.  Every year up to 2003, he bought bicycles, and then helmets, and then scooters for Three Wishes for Christmas Program.  He initially purchased the bicycles and delivered them to C.P.S. Alvin, Texas (receiving area for Three Wishes for Christmas Program) and then later to the Houston Chronicle Good fellows.  He purchased the bicycles from K-Mart, Target, and then Wal-Mart.  He spoke very highly of the manager of Target at Baybrook Mall, Mike Pipkin, and an employee at Wal-Mart who worked with him in year 2000.

The Club begin (RY 1992-93, the first year)  the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. The Children's Protective Services in Harris and Brazoria Counties had a program called "Three Wishes for Christmas" which fulfills wishes for children in their care up to 18 years of age. The children are in this care not for something they have done, but for something that has been done to them, such as abuse or neglect by parents or others.  Bicycles make a big hit with these kids, and thanks to support from a number of you in our club I was able to make a very advantageous purchase of twelve bicycles for the program. Just imagine the happiness of these children when they awoke on Christmas morning to find their name on one of these bicycles.  Being ever optimistic, I hope that next year we will be able to purchase and furnish 24 bicycles.  You all have made this a very special Christmas for 12 children.  The above was from part of a letter from  Vic "Three Wishes" Maria in the January 11, 1993  Blastoff.

The Club continued (RY 1993-94, the second year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 12 bicycles for this program. Just imagine the happiness of these children when they awoke on Christmas morning to find their name on one of these bicycles.  A note by President Maria discusses the program in more detail.

The Club continued (RY 1994-95, the third year) the Three Wishes for Christmas  program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes we re for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 25 bicycles and 25 helmets for this program.

The Club continued (RY 1995-96, the fourth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas  program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 27 bicycles and 27 helmets for this program.

The Club continued (RY 1996-97, the fifth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas  program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 30 bicycles and 30 helmets for this program.

The Club continued (RY 1997-98, the sixth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  There was no record of the amount purchased this year. 

The Club continued (RY 1998-99, the seventh year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 46 bicycles and 46 helmets for this program.

The Club continued (RY 1999-00, the eigth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas  program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 41 bicycles and some helmets for this program. 

The Club continued (RY 2000-01, the ninth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 32 bicycles and helmets for this program.  Vic Maria sent a letter to the General Manager of Wal-Mart complimenting the Manager of the bicycle department for his excellent customer service. 

The Club continued (RY 2001-02, the tenth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.   This year part of the donations were given to The Houston Chronicle Goodfellows because the Three Wishes for Christmas had moved the drop off point from Alvin to across Houson. This year the Club purchased 30 bicycles, 30 scooters, and 75  helmets for this program. The Goodfellows would also pick up the biclyes and scooters at Wal-Mart. 

The Club continued (RY 2002-03, the eleventh year) the bikes for Christmas program.  This year the Club purchased 30 bicycles, 50 scooters, and 86  helmets for this program.  The donations were given to the Houston Chronicle Goodfellows. 

Vic wrote in letter to Nelle Spates and Lee Saladino  “This year (2002) we were blessed for we were able to buy 30 bicycles, 50 scooters and 86 helmets for the Houston Chronicle GOODFELLOWS program.  I gave one of these bikes and one helmet to a needy local girl.  I then got more bikes and gave 5 bicycles to the Harris County Youth Village and 5 bicycles to the Bay Area Turning Point.  We were all truly blessed in being able to play a small part in providing a joyous Christmas for youngsters in our area.

I want to thank my Space Center Rotary Club Rotarians who donated towards these gifts and to Wal-Mart Superstore and its employees who were so very helpful and understanding in making these gifts available for young Harris County children..

This is the second year I have been providing bicycles and scooters to Goodfellows for Christmas and it has truly been a very pleasurable experience.”   

The Club continued (RY 2003-04, the twelfth year) the bikes for Christmas  program.  This year the Club purchased 60 bicycles and 60  helmets for this program.  The donations were given to the Houston Chronicle Goodfellows.