Free bikes put smiles on Elgin kids' faces

After his two older siblings got free bikes in past years, 4-year-old William Kilberts' turn came at the annual "Smiles for Christmas" event Tuesday in Elgin.

"It's great. I've been coming and bringing them every year," said his mother, Rosette Kilberts. "I alternate each year who gets a bike."

The Kilberts were among 40 families who received 75 new bicycles - each family could get no more than two - during the free giveaway organized by the Housing Authority of Elgin at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin.

This year's program fully embraced the holiday spirit with a visit from Santa and an opportunity for children to fill out Christmas cards for seniors.

The families included clients of the Housing Authority of Elgin, as well as families in need identified by the Elgin Police Department.

"HAE's goal for this project was simple - put a smile on the face of a child on Christmas Day," said Damon Duncan, CEO of the Housing Authority of Elgin.

The program, now in its seventh year, is funded by donations from sponsors including Xfinity, Walmart, Bear Development, Laborers' International Union Local 582, The Burton Foundation, Fox River Affordable Housing Corporation, and staff and board members from the Housing Authority of Elgin.

In order to participate, clients of the Housing Authority of Elgin must take part in an educational seminar, said Vanessa Botti, family self-sufficiency coordinator for the agency. The 90-minute financial seminar last month was led by Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois, she said.

"The goal is to do very basic budgeting, and in the holiday period, identify needs and wants," she said.

•Staff photographer John Starks contributed to this report.