NWFL Radio: WHWY's Bikes or Bust Collects 1,409 Bicycles

Far surpassing their goal of 1,000 bikes, radio station Country WHWY Highway 98.1 in Destin, FL collected 1,409 bikes, 650 toys and over $9,000 in cash for Toys for Tots at this year’s annual Bikes or Bust event.

According to nwfdailynews.com, radio personality Bo Reynolds camped out 40 feet in the air on a scissor lift for 98 hours to raise awareness for Toys for Tots, was more than successful this year, according to Community Broadcasters Promotions Director Lisa Buchman.

Bo Reynolds

“I honestly am overwhelmed,” Buchman said. “It’s been really heartwarming to see local businesses and wonderful families take the challenge and really try and fill a need in our community. What’s been really cool about this year is that several families have come back to do this as their annual tradition. Their kids forego Christmas presents so they can buy bikes. It’s amazing.”

 Reynolds, who slept in a tent, ate food lifted to him via a pulley system and took “showers” with baby wipes, said he was “extremely proud and extremely happy” at the amount of bikes, toys and money people donated.

“I feel great, I feel satisfied, I feel so grateful ... it’s absolutely amazing,” Reynolds said just moments after stepping off the scissor lift. “Every one of these bicycles represents a child in Okaloosa County that’s going to wake up on Christmas morning with a big smile on their face.”

Last year, Bikes or Bust collected 854 bicycles. This year’s goal was 1,000 bikes, a number that was easily surpassed. Weather may have been a factor, as this year’s weather saw mild temperatures and no precipitation. Last year’s event endured rain, high wind and lightning.

Ashley Botelho, charity coordinator with Emerald Coast Toys for Tots, said there are around 10,000 Emerald Coast children in need this year. She teared up as she talked about what the large bike donation would mean to families in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

“I just think about what the toy does, even just any toy, what it does and how much hope it provides a child, and to think that almost 50 percent more children are going to have the hope and the joy of a bicycle under their Christmas tree because of the generosity of our community, it’s unfathomable,” Botelho said. “I can’t even wrap my head around it.”