Order “The Works” in advance HERE.
Volunteer for the 2026 Strawberry Festival
Donate to support CASY’s programs year-round.
June 2026
Come celebrate the 38th Annual Strawberry Festival this June on the grounds of First Congregational Church for a sweet community celebration filled with fresh strawberries, local traditions, and summer fun.
Save time, Order ahead
Pre-orders for The Works are available online each spring, making it easy to reserve this festival favorite ahead of time.
Volunteer
Volunteer registration for 38th Annual Strawberry Festival opens in May 2026 for those eager to help make this beloved community tradition a success.
Event Overview
Each holiday season, CASY’s Bikes for Tykes program brings the joy of a new bicycle and helmet to children in need across the Wabash Valley. With the support of generous donors and community partners, the program turns empty spaces under the tree into Christmas mornings filled with excitement, hope, and possibility. Your gift helps us reach our goal of providing 250 bikes and helmets each year at an average cost of $100 per child.
The need (the problem)
Each Christmas, many children in the Wabash Valley wake to an empty space beneath the tree, especially in households facing financial hardship. Families may struggle to afford holiday gifts, let alone something as significant as a new bicycle and helmet.
The solution (what the program does)
Bikes for Tykes brightens the holiday season by providing new bicycles and helmets to children in need, ensuring more children experience the joy and wonder of Christmas morning. CASY coordinates gifts, partners, and logistics so that these bikes arrive in time to make a meaningful holiday memory.
Impact and scale
In 2025, Bikes for Tykes delivered over 250 new bicycles to children in need throughout the region.
The program’s annual goal is to provide 400 bikes and helmets, at an average cost of $100 per child.
Community donations and sponsorships directly fund these bikes and safety gear.
Benefits Beyond the Holiday
The impact of Bikes for Tykes goes far beyond Christmas morning. A bicycle:
- Fosters independence, responsibility, and self-confidence.
- Encourages outdoor play and physical activity.
- Promotes healthier lifestyles and helps combat childhood obesity by giving kids a fun, accessible way to stay active year-round.
Key partners and community support
The strength of Bikes for Tykes comes from collaboration and generosity. In 2025, the program was bolstered by:
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students
- Walmart
- Pepsi
- Terre Haute South Rotary
- Vigo County School Corporation
A network of individual donors and community sponsors
CASY also recognizes the dedicated staff and volunteers whose time and effort make each season a success.
How the community can help (funding and support)
- Individuals can donate online to help purchase bikes and helmets.
- Businesses and community groups can sponsor a set number of bikes or host fundraising drives.
- Volunteers can help assemble and prepare bikes for distribution.
- Sharing the program with friends, family, and social networks expands the circle of support.
About Bikes for Tykes
Bikes for Tykes® was originally founded in 1987 in Naples, Florida, with the idea that any child who wished for a bicycle at Christmas should be able to receive one, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
The first child served, Joshua, age 6, received a reconditioned bike after his wish appeared on a paper angel at a local restaurant, inspiring the broader program.
Since then, the original Bikes for Tykes initiative in Florida has provided tens of thousands of bicycles to children, demonstrating the power of a simple, joyful gift to transform a child’s holiday.
CASY’s Bikes for Tykes program continues that spirit locally in the Wabash Valley—focusing on new bikes and helmets, strong local partnerships, and a commitment to safety, health, and holiday joy for children in our community.
