BUTLER TWP — A new bike in time for summer vacation is a dream come true for more than 40 youths courtesy of Christ Community United Methodist Church and Butler Township.

The two organizations have partnered together to start Bikes To Hope, a community day and free bike giveaway.

“It’s our goal as the church to bring hope to the community,” said the Rev. Jeff St. Clair.

St. Clair became the pastor of Christ Community United Methodist Church in July 2011.

Since then he has been working with his congregation to find new ways to help the community.

“We did a worship series back in December that was called ‘Out of the Box,’ and it was just opportunities that possibly could happen for the church to think outside of the box,” St. Clair said.

Michael Gibson of Center Township, who is acting as the chairman for the Bikes to Hope event, is excited the church is helping locally.

“I’ve always been of the belief, because I’ve seen it firsthand, that we tend to neglect right here at home and there’s a lot of kids that are hurting,” Gibson said.

After a few brainstorming sessions with the congregation, the church decided to give away bicycles.

When starting to plan, St. Clair knew he wanted to partner with Butler Township.

“I went out on a limb and took a leap of faith and thought, ‘I’m just going to go down to the township building and see what happens,’” St. Clair said.

He was able to meet with township manager Edward Kirkwood.

St. Clair explained the church wanted to give away free bikes to youths in the community, and Kirkwood agreed to help host the event.

“This is the first (event) and hopefully it will be successful and hopefully it will be an ongoing process where we partner with other entities in the township to help them with things that are important to the community,” Kirkwood said.

Youths in Butler Township and the surrounding areas had the opportunity to apply to receive free bicycles and helmets.

“It’s my personal belief that we need to do things to help the community as a whole other than those items we are mandated to perform,” Kirkwood said.

Even though the application process is over, volunteers for Bikes To Hope are willing to accept applications until noon Friday.

“Don’t hesitate, even if it’s last minute, to try to contact us,” Gibson said. “We’re going to make sure there’s bicycles there for every kid.”

Youths will receive their brand-new bikes Saturday at two separate community events.

The first event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the township building, with free food, a safety course, games and more.

Michael Gibson’s son, Jordan Gibson of Butler Township, is helping with the event by having his band, Scene Stage the World, play.

“It needs to be known that there are kids here that are struggling, that there are families here that are struggling — that need help — and it’s just not fair that people don’t know,” Jordan Gibson said.

The church reached out to local businesses and organizations to provide free food for families to enjoy at both events.

“Some of our local businesses are really stepping up and giving support for this outreach,” St. Clair said.

Michael Gibson used to be chairman of the board of Christian Sports International.

Thanks to his connections, he was able to ask David Rettig, talent scout with the Pittsburgh Pirates and founder of Christian Sports International and National Character Education Foundation, to speak during the event at the township building.

Former Steeler linebacker Robin Cole, who played in Super Bowls XIII and XIV, will speak at the second event beginning at 4 p.m. with free dinner at the church.

“They are strong Christian men,” Michael Gibson said. “I mean, Robin was a linebacker in the NFL so you don’t need to say any more; and Dave’s probably 6’3” or 6’4”. He’s a big guy, so the picture that it paints is you can be a Christian, you can have beliefs and you can live right and live morally and be a strong man or a strong woman.”

Another local band, Bare Branches, will perform at the church.

The mission statement of Bikes To Hope is “To join forces with Butler Township for the purpose of introducing families to the hope and joy of Christ and the community by creating a day of fun, which will include food, celebrity speakers, bike giveaways, music and games and to open the door to an ongoing relationship with Christ and our church.”

While the church hopes to build relationships for Christ with those in attendance, the event, with its athletic speakers, free food and live music, was planned for everyone in the community.

“I know the people in church on Sunday are going to be there next Sunday. I want to see that church packed with people I’ve never seen before,” Jordan Gibson said.

The church and Butler Township want to help bring joy to the youths and families in the community.

“There’s some kid who may never have had the opportunity to have a brand-new bike and to see something brand new will give them a revived hope that people care about them and that this world is good, it’s not all bad and that there is a potential for joy,” St. Clair said.