Denny Offstein shows some of the bikes he's collected for the Bike Rodeo in May. He said he's looking for volunteers to help make any needed repairs.

Surrounded by a maze of more than 300 used bicycles in his yard, local businessman Denny Offstein is gearing up for a Bicycle Rodeo next month.

“Each bike has a story,” Offstein said. “This event is going to be the best bicycle rodeo I've ever had.”

After taking a year off, plans are under way for this year's bike rodeo at the Butler City Farmers' Market on Chestnut Street. Offstein started the event more than two decades ago and hopes to give away more than 300 bicycles to local youths this year.

“All kids in the city are welcome,” Offstein said, adding that the May 5 event is open to all Butler children between the ages of 5 and 15.

Over the past 25 years, Offstein has given away more than 1,000 bicycles — new and used.

During the last rodeo in 2017, Offstein distributed bikes to every child who registered. He donated all the remaining ones to a local charity. That year alone, he gave away 175 used bikes and 15 new ones.

Offstein said he is excited about this year's rodeo, and that local businesses and organizations are already donating new bikes.

He said there is much work to be done before the rodeo, and that he is looking for volunteers to help fix the bikes. Many of the used ones have brakes that are locked or other issues that need fixed. He also hopes to paint some of them. Every one needs to pass his safety tests before he will allow them to be given away.

“I have a truck full of parts. We need people to fix all those bikes,” Offstein said, adding that every volunteer counts.

Bill Hetrick, a member of the Lions Club, has volunteered since the early days of the rodeo. The retired Butler school teacher said that many children are struggling emotionally and mentally, and do not have a sense of self-worth. Hetrick, who taught for 38 years, said giving them a bicycle can change that.

“They think, 'I am somebody, I'm worthy,'” Hetrick said. “A lot of these kids need to know that they're worth being helped.”

Hetrick said for at-risk children, the rodeo gives them something they can call their own.

“To some of them, that's the only thing they have that's theirs,” Hetrick said. “I think it's great. I think it's almost needed more now more than ever.”

Offstein said a bicycle also offers children freedom and something to do outside. He said children spend too much time on their phones.

“Kids today don't know how to have fun,” he said. “Kids these days are always looking down. What's wrong with looking up?”