Kudos to a fundraising effort by the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry and the Can’d Aid Foundation that could provide a bicycle for every Warren County first-grader who needs one.

Warren County is a paradise for trail riding, and one way to build on the use of all those trails locally is to get more and more youth riding on them. Providing bikes to children who need them is one way to do just that.

But before we reach the spring payoff, there is work to be done.

The community needs to raise another $19,000 to pedal across the finish line. The Can’D Aid Foundation focuses on a few key areas — shipping canned water to areas dealing with disasters, musical instrument availability, recycling efforts and “Treads and Trails,” which administers programs like the bike giveaway program.

The foundation doesn’t just walk in and give the bicycles away. That has to be done by local residents. A $30,000 goal was set to provide 120 bikes and helmets, with about $11,000 already committed, including $1,600 from individuals. That’s a great start. Now, chamber officials have presented the requests for a chunk of the remaining $19,000 to area businesses.

We hope businesses are able to contribute to this cause — though we recognize they receive requests for worthy causes and needs on a regular basis and it can be difficult to keep saying yes. That is, by the way, one reason to continue supporting local businesses as much as possible. They’re here, helping with big projects like this one. Online retailers are not.

We have little doubt our business and non-profit community will come through. And, for individuals who want to donate, visit candaid.salsalabs.org/ericwebberbikebuild2023.