The Salisbury Police is accepting applications for its annual bicycle giveaway for Salisbury residents. This year marks the 13th year the police department is partnering with Gerry Wood Auto Group.

The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Dec. 1 and can be found at the Salisbury Police Department, 130 East Liberty St.

The program is intended to serve underprivileged children who live within the city limits of Salisbury by delivering a bicycle to children who may receive little or in some cases, nothing for Christmas. Police officers, staff, police cadets, chaplains and others in the community volunteer their time to deliver the bikes to children a few days before Christmas. The volunteers gather at automotive dealership, load up their vehicles and make the deliveries.

“We are extremely grateful to Gerry Auto Group for making this event possible from a financial standpoint. This program is something that our officers and staff look forward to every years, as it gives us the opportunity to interact with our youth in a positive and uplifting manner,” said Police Chief Rory Collins.

Collins said the giveaway also provides the opportunity for citizens to see another example of the “genuine care and compassion that their police department has for the community we serve.”

A total of 130 bicycles and helmets will be distributed just before Christmas. This year volunteers will deliver the bikes on Dec. 23.

The children who live at the home, but are too young to receive a bike will be given a Teddy bear. The dealership also makes it possible for the children to receive the stuffed animals.

Collins said in order to determine the recipients of the bicycles, applications must be completed by a parent or guardian. The applications can be found at the Salisbury Police Department, as well as various other locations throughout the city of Salisbury.