Indiana Derby Week is filled with all types of activities leading up to Central Indiana’s biggest summer sporting event Saturday. Part of the events in the lineup include several philanthropic initiatives, including a $10,000 donation to Dakich Cycles for the City.
Dan and Leigh Dakich created the not-for-profit foundation a few years ago and have already provided hundreds of bikes to less fortunate kids in Central Indiana. As a result of the partnership with Horseshoe Indianapolis, Dakich Cycles for the City donated 12 bicycles and one tricycle to kids in need in Shelby County.
A special check presentation was recently held at the track during live racing as the bicycles were delivered and ready for their new owners.
“This project started off to help out a couple of kids that needed a bike, and this has just grown from there to include hundreds of bicycles every year for kids that need a bike,” said Dakich, a former Indiana basketball legend and sportscaster. “Every kid should be able to have a bike. I had a bike when I was growing up, so I know how invaluable it is. We try to assist as many kids as we can each year, and this project is especially important to my wife, Leigh. We are so happy to include these kids in Shelby County. Leigh and I appreciate this donation from Horseshoe Indianapolis, which will go a long way to help a lot of kids down the road.”
The Shelby County CASA program (Court Appointed State Advocates) was contacted to get sizes and types of bikes needed. Bikes are then coordinated by Indy Sports Corp through the Dakich organization and Dick’s Sporting Goods assembles the bikes. Each kid also received a helmet and lock to go along with their new bicycle. The bicycles are in the process of being delivered to area children, ranging in ages from one to 18 for both boys and girls.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to do something positive for the youth of our local community,” said Trent McIntosh, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Horseshoe Indianapolis, located in Shelbyville. “Providing these bikes to area kids that otherwise do not have one is a great gesture, and we are proud and honored to be included in this project that will make such an impact to 13 kids in Shelby County.”
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