This auction is a fundraiser set up by one of our Saratoga Shredders, Havah Doyle, that will help to purchase a fleet of bikes that will be used by Maple Ave Middle School students in PE class, and it's the next phase of the Saratoga Shredders BIKES IN SCHOOLS initiative in Saratoga Springs.

This auction is supplementing the SNOWMAN SPIN-A-THON, which was held on Sunday, December 17.

Here's more directly from Havah:

"My name is Havah, and I'm a 7th grade student at Maple Ave Middle School in Saratoga Springs. In 2020, when the world shut down because of the pandemic, I was 9 years old. Like most kids my age, I spent a lot of time by myself, which left me feeling sad, lonely and having feelings of depression.

At that time, I was lucky enough to find Saratoga Shredders. I joined and started to ride bikes twice a week. I was able to get outside, riding on trails with other kids my own age, and I started to feel better! I was new to mountain biking - Shredders taught me new skills. I have now been in Shredders for 3 years. I have learned a lot through cycling, and have been able to meet new people, make new friends and discover new places in my community. For me, cycling has taught me mental and physical strength. Riding trails has been a great way to spend time with friends, stay active and have fun, under the supervision of our mentors/coaches, helping me to stay safe and improve my skills.

This year, I am becoming a Bat Mitzvah, which is a ceremony acknowledging that I am reaching adulthood. Part of those responsibilities are to perform “Mitzvot”, which are “good deeds”. For my Mitzvah project, I want to help provide the same opportunity to grow through cycling to other middle school students. I want to help the Saratoga Shredders put a cycling program at Maple Ave Middle School. The money I raise will help purchase a fleet of bikes and a school-based curriculum so that we can create a new school-based gym program. This will be an extension of the school programs adopted by Saratoga Elementary schools in 2023."

For more information or to support Havah's initiative, please contact Anna Laloë, Executive Director of Saratoga Shredders.