MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Ensuring to do their part this holiday season, the Armed Services Young Men’s Christian Association aboard Camp Pendleton hosted their fourth annual Bicycle Giveaway at Bldg. 16144, Dec. 16.

ASYMCA is a civilian, non-profit organization located on base. According to the ASYMCA website, their mission is to enhance the lives of military personnel and their family members in spirit, mind, and body.

For the fourth consecutive year, more than 500 Pendleton families, pay grade E-5 and below, have benefited from the bike giveaway event. Along with free bikes, patrons received helmets, toys and commissary vouchers at the affair.

“We hold this event every year to show our support to service members and their families,” said George Brown, executive director, ASYMCA, Camp Pendleton. “Plus, what child doesn’t want to come down stairs on Christmas morning and see a bike under the tree?”

The whole event was a collaborative effort between ASYMCA, Camp Pendleton Southwest Region Fleet Transportation, who transported the bikes, and local community businesses that donated most of the bikes.

“The bike giveaway is truly one the best gifts my family is getting this Christmas,” said Hannah Ulrich, military spouse, Camp Pendleton. “The ASYMCA always does all they can to provide a better lifestyle. They really bring new meaning to the words ‘Christmas spirit’,” she said.

Although hundreds of bikes and toys were distributed, the festive giveaway does not end there. Dec. 17 begins the week-long ASYMCA Secret Santa giveaway for families of service members who are E-5 and below. Participating families previously submitted holiday gift wish-lists to the ASYMCA, who forwarded those lists to more than 300 community members, organizations and businesses that, in turn, donate those items.

“We do our best every year in making the holidays as unforgettable as we can,” said Brown. “After all, the Pendleton families already give us the best gift anyone can receive every day; freedom.

For more information about participating in next year’s events call the Camp Pendleton ASYMCA at (760) 385-4921.