-Submitted photo
Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener, third from left, and Matt Johnson, fifth from left, co-owner of Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, were joined by other representatives of the Sheriff’s Office recently when the group donated bicycles to the Bike for Tykes initiative. The bikes are collected at the dealership and then given to local children who would not otherwise get a bicycle.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple donors, raised nearly $2,000 to support the local Bikes for Tykes initiative.

“All of our staff thought it was important to let our community know that the Webster County Sheriff’s Office enjoys serving our citizens, and this is a great way for us to give back,” said Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener. “Chief Deputy Derek Christie and I are extremely proud to lead this team.”

The Sheriff’s Office partnered with the county’s reserve unit, Josephson Manufacturing, John and Sherri Josephson, Steve Hoshaw of Kesterson Realty, Webster County Supervisor Bob Thode, and Iowa Fire Control to raise the funds.

In total, the department was able to purchase and deliver 19 bicycles which were delivered to Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota and will be given away as part of the local Bikes for Tykes campaign.

The Bikes for Tykes campaign has been collecting new bicycles and distributing them to children who would not otherwise get one since at least 2009.