Dakich Cycles for the City provides bikes to Shelby County kids

For the second straight year, Dakich Cycles for the City has teamed up with Horseshoe Indianapolis for a special giveaway. Dan and Leigh Dakich donated 11 bicycles to area kids in need through the local Court Appointed State Advocates (CASA) program of Shelby County.

To date, more than 500 bicycles have been donated by the organization in Central Indiana.

Bicycles were specially designed and fitted for 11 kids ranging in ages from three to 18 currently associated with the local CASA program. The bicycle packages included a helmet, kickstand, and lock with training wheels on a few of the smaller ones for the younger children.

To assist with the program, Horseshoe Indianapolis, located in Shelbyville, provided a $10,000 donation to the cause.

“We’ve been doing this for about four-and-a-half years to give bikes away and it’s something we started on our own,” said Leigh, former softball coach at Syracuse and television commentator for the Big 10 Network. “It’s something that we are really passionate about. It gives kids the freedom and responsibility to have their own bike. This donation will go directly to help us buy more bikes. We are very appreciative of this donation.”

In addition to donations, Dakich Cycles for the City hosts an annual golf outing in memory of Dan’s father, Tom. Now in its 14th year, The Tom Dakich Memorial Golf Outing is set for July 15 at the Golf Club of Indiana in Whitestown.

The outing includes a live auction, dinner, and a day of golf with all proceeds earmarked to Dakich Cycles for the City. Horseshoe Indianapolis is a major sponsor of the event.

“We are proud to partner with Dan and Leigh (Dakich) for this worthwhile program,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “Being able to assist kids in our immediate area that may not otherwise have access to a bicycle is an amazing way for us to give back to the community. These bicycles provide kids with the opportunity to have something of their own that, in some cases, becomes their mode of transportation.”

The donation was part of the annual Horseshoe Hysteria event held during a special racing day Saturday. In addition to Leigh and Dan Dakich, their children, Andrew and Laura, were present for the donation. Several activities associated with basketball were provided, featuring a basketball shooting station and three-point shooting contest.

The day concluded with the simulcast of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, held at Saratoga in New York.

Space is still available for golfers in the Tom Dakich Memorial Golf Outing. For more information on the event, go to Dakich’s website at www.dandakich.com.

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