By Paige Gurgainers
For Patrick Edmonds Jr., every bicycle collected through Wheels of Faith is a chance to bring joy to a child while honoring the daughter he and his wife lost four years ago.
Her name was Maevery Faith Edmonds. Today, her middle name lives on through a bike drive that collected more than 60 bicycles last year and is underway again to help families provide Christmas gifts for their children.
“I wanted to start something that helped me and my wife cope with the loss by starting something positive in her name,” Edmonds said. “What better way than to give back to kids in honor of my kid.”
After losing Maevery Faith to a miscarriage, Edmonds found a way to carry her memory into the lives of other children. The response to last year’s drive, and the happiness of the children who received bicycles, encouraged him to keep going.
This year, he hopes to collect even more bikes and extend the effort to children in other cities and towns, but he measures success by the children helped rather than a particular number.
“I collected over 60 bikes last year and I hope to collect even more this year,” he said. “If I don’t collect more than 60 then I won’t be upset. Any donations towards making a kid smile is a blessing.”
The drive accepts new and like-new bicycles, along with monetary donations that will go directly toward purchasing new bikes. Edmonds will provide receipts for those purchases.
Donors who prefer to purchase a bicycle themselves can arrange for Edmonds to pick up an online order from a retailer such as Walmart or Academy by adding his name as an authorized pickup person. He is also available to coordinate pickups and drop-offs directly with donors.
Unassembled bicycles are welcome, too. Edmonds said he is willing to put them together himself, allowing donors to take advantage of less expensive options when available. His request is that donated bikes be in a condition suitable for a child’s Christmas gift.
The effort also reflects Edmonds’ law enforcement background and his desire to build positive relationships between officers and the communities they serve.
“I grew up in an environment where police weren’t appreciated or respected,” he said. “I chose to be the one to show the community that there are good police and I’ll prove it with my actions.”
A youth tournament scheduled for Nov. 7–8 will give young athletes an opportunity to take part in that mission. Open to teams in the 6U through 12U age groups, the tournament’s registration fee is a donated bicycle, with pay-at-the-plate costs also applying.
For Edmonds, the tournament offers a lesson that reaches beyond competition. He hopes participating athletes will consider the circumstances of children whose families may not have the same resources or opportunities.
“I want them to learn that giving back will bless their lives and put a smile on a kids’ face,” he said. “I want them to know that the game isn’t always about winning, but learning how to become a better person.”
Bicycles will be distributed Dec. 20–24. Parents who need help providing a bike for their children are encouraged to reach out to Edmonds. There is no formal selection process; he said he will do his best to accommodate requests with the donations available.
“I want to bless those that need it,” he said.
Whether the effort surpasses last year’s collection or helps a smaller group of families, Edmonds already sees value in bringing people together to give.
“The tournament could’ve had 5 teams sign up and I’d consider it a success,” he said. “It’s a blessing just to be able to give back to the kids.”
For the families receiving bicycles this Christmas, Wheels of Faith offers a gift. For Edmonds and his wife, it is also a way to share their daughter’s memory, one child at a time.
Teams can register for the Nov. 7–8 tournament through the online registration form. Registration is open to teams in the 6U through 12U age groups, with a donated bicycle serving as the entry fee. Pay-at-the-plate costs also apply.
