METRO MECHANICS RAISE MONEY FOR BIKES May 23, 2007

Every child dreams of having his very own bike, but for some of Houston's poor, this dream doesn't always come true.

Horace Marves, a METRO employee of 31 years, has been trying to change this. For the past 20 years, Marves, a
bus mechanic, has collected money from co-workers to buy new bikes for Houston's Fifth Ward kids.

The bikes are distributed every year at the Hester House Christmas Party, an event sponsored by State Representative Harold Dutton.

"It's the joy you see on these kids' faces when they get these new bicycles every year," said Marves. " It encourages them to do better with their lives. They don't have to sell drugs. For that little time, they're happy."

Last year, Marves' group collected $2,000 and bought 58 bicycles. This year, Marves hopes to raise enough money to buy more bikes for the 500 kids who attend the annual party.

Marves and 10 other mechanics have started a fund, each saving $3 a week. When the Christmas sales begin, they will buy the new bicycles and take them to Hester House where METRO volunteers will assemble them.

Marves, who grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward, would like to see more people getting involved. "I can't let the children down. If we don't do our part, they won't get anything," he added.

For more information about this program call Horace Marves at (832) 785-7028.