Local News in Brief : Fountain Valley : 22 Unclaimed Bicycles Donated to Charities

The city gave several Christmas presents to needy children this year: 22 bicycles whose owners could not be located.

The Anaheim-headquartered Olive Crest Home for Abused Children, as well as His Hands Christian Service, an organization connected with Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fountain Valley, actually distributed the bikes to children just before Christmas.

Fountain Valley Police Capt. John Beddow said the bicycles, which had been either lost or stolen--but unclaimed by owners--would probably have netted the city’s general fund about $400 at auction. But the city, he said, would probably have just broken even after overtime was paid to someone to auction the items.

Officials with Olive Crest said they gave away some of the bikes to abused children through their organization. A spokeswoman for the Hands organization said the bikes that group received would be given to children in two Tijuana orphanages, Casa del Los Pobres (House of the Poor) and Casa de Cuna, (House of Small Children Orphanage) via an outreach program there.

The city took advantage of a recent change in state law that allows cities to donate confiscated and unclaimed surplus property to charities. Beddow said the city intends to organize the program earlier next year, and to expand it.