SALISBURY — The Salisbury Police Department has partnered for the 14th year with Gerry Wood Auto Group for the annual Christmas bicycle giveaway program.

The program is intended for disadvantaged children who live within the city limits of Salisbury. Police officers and volunteers deliver bikes to those children who might otherwise receive very little or even nothing at all for Christmas.

In order to determine the recipients of the bicycles, applications must be completed by a parent or guardian. Applications are at the Salisbury Police Department, as well as various other locations throughout the city of Salisbury. Applications must be submitted to the police department by Friday, Dec. 2.

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

Stokes said it 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.”

The police department and the auto dealership will distribute 140 bikes and helmets just as they collected and distributed last year.

Police officers, cadets, civilian staff and volunteers will deliver the bikes Dec. 22.

Any child who lives in the home who is too young to receive a bicycle will receive a teddy bear. Gerry Wood Auto Group also provides the bears.

“Thanks to our partnership with Gerry Wood, Christmas will come early for many youngsters throughout the city of Salisbury,” Stokes said.