Bikes for Kids
By Mallory Sepúlveda
Photo of bikes on the Owasso High School football field taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
Every year, the Owasso High School football field is kept clear of football players for a week to make room for hundreds upon hundreds of bicycles. The rows of bikes upon the 10-yard lines create a spectacle to see, but the most eye-catching sight is Natalie Lefler—who goes by radio name Natalie Cash—living in a tent 40 feet in the air. Lefler just finished her tenth year of Bikes for Kids, an annual event during which she camps out at Owasso High School to collect bicycles for kids in need.
“We’re almost to 15,000 bicycles. [It’s been] ten years … [and] it’s hard to retire after you’re on a roll like that. I love the tenacity of it,” exclaimed Lefler with a grin. “[I] like the grit of staying up here and not coming down. All ten years, the locations have changed, but the premise has been the same. I stay up in the scaffolding; I don’t come down until we get a certain number of bikes.”
Lefler found inspiration for Bikes for Kids in a similar event she saw in Las Vegas: the Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive.
Photo of the Bikes for Kids tent taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
“I used to do morning radio in Las Vegas, and there was a guy there. He does 12 days and he stays 20 feet in the air [while filling] an entire parking lot with [toys and bikes].”
She brought this idea back to Oklahoma and put her own spin on it. This year, Lefler stayed in a tent 40 feet high for 48 hours. During her stay, Lefler was jumping from mic to mic—entertaining her TikTok Live Stream, recording radio segments and speaking to the passersby below.
Photo of Lefler and Sunday Edwards Homes representative, Tessa Edwards, recording a radio segment taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
“What I want to do for these kids is give [them] that core memory of getting their very first bicycle. These kids are getting a brand new bicycle that isn’t used [and] isn’t a hand-me-down from their brother,” explained Lefler.
Lefler’s determination and mettle shone like a lighthouse—and not just because she was 40 feet in the air. Before the kickoff event on Thursday, heads were constantly popping into her tent, but Lefler kept her cool while dealing with multiple people and various problems.
“It takes a village,” stressed Lefler. “There’s so many people that are helping me. [For example,] Walmart’s about to show up with 200 bikes in a semi [with a] police escort. They’re also presenting a $10,000 dollar check.”
Photo of Walmart’s bicycle-filled semi truck taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
People from all over Owasso came through with donations. Different businesses and organizations covered the costs of the scaffolding and tent banners. The kickoff event was supported by multiple sponsors, and before the event even started, the football field held over 300 bikes.
“That’s this community. [We’ve] got a radio station, … a microphone [and] … a platform to help a lot of people. That’s what we’re doing here.” She continued with a laugh, “From a tent. At my old high school. Eating Lucky Charms for breakfast. It’s great.”
At the end of her 48 hour stay, Lefler had collected 1,030 bicycles. As the football field filled up, it was clear to see how Lefler’s unique act of tenacity brought Owasso together. Hundreds of local kids will be receiving bikes this Christmas thanks to her and the help of the community.
“I’ve learned that if you really put your mind to something … you can really achieve something cool. And I think we’re achieving something cool up here.”
Photo of Lefler atop her 40 foot tall scaffolding taken by Mallory Sepúlveda