ANNA MARIA – During each Christmas season, Anna Maria resident Carl Augostini, 85, provides bikes for underprivileged children and adults in need.
“This year, I did a total of 36 bikes – a new record for me, thanks to a lot of friends and neighbors who donated them from the Island and Bradenton,” Augostini said. “Eight adult bikes went to halfway houses in Sarasota, distributed by a close friend who lives there. Two bikes went to a needy family in Bradenton for Christmas. The 26 remaining bikes went to Pastor Greenidge and Charles Wade, with 18 bikes for adults and teenagers and eight bikes for children under 10 years old.”
Peter Greenidge is the executive pastor at the Light of the World church in Sarasota. Wade is the facilities administrator at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.
Despite the threat of rain, Greenidge and Wade picked up the repaired and refurbished bikes at Augostini’s Anna Maria home on Dec. 16.
“My son, Craig, helped me out,” Augostini said. “He did some deliveries for me and helped me clean the bikes up when they were pulled out of storage. He also helped with minor repairs during clean-up that were missed during the build phase. He has been a great supporter and helps me out whenever I need strength to do something.”
When asked why he does this, Augostini said, “There are several reasons. To begin with, I came from a poor family and we struggled to get a bike, not only for fun but for work and everything in between. If a family cannot afford a bike for their child, I will try to get one for them. I believe it gets them off the couch, away from their iPad, iPhone, etc., and outside for exercise and a healthier environment, making them stronger individuals and making for a better generation to come.
“Another reason I do it is because it’s a hobby for me. It keeps my mind active and keeps me out of trouble. It is unbelievable what I have learned by rebuilding bikes – the tricks of the trade. I see something different on almost every bike. I am a retired electrical engineer and this is all mechanical, but it is a challenge and I love a challenge,” Augostini said.
Augostini has been doing his annual bike restorations and gift presentations for 13 years or so. In 2020, his charitable efforts earned him the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year award.
“If I am healthy, I will continue to build bikes for kids for Christmas. Hopefully, they will appreciate the bikes and become a better generation,” he said.
