Local nonprofit to host meet-and-greet on free bike program

Brilliant Planet, a new, local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families get into nature, will host its first community meet-and-greet event on Friday, July 26 at the Blaine Senior Center to showcase its new free bike program for Blaine youth.

The event is a chance for Brilliant Planet to reach more families who may be interested in the organization. The event will be held at 5 p.m. at 763 G Street, and feature a Q&A portion for families curious about the free bike program.

Brilliant Planet was created by Terra and Jiggy Sorrell as a way to give back to their community and encourage children and families to get outside, whether it be down a trail by foot, or down the street by bike. The free bike program started during the school year, and has already received dozens of applications.

“We’re excited to share that we had nearly 50 families respond with bike requests and we will be delivering about 100 bikes to kids in the Blaine/Birch Bay community in December of 2024,” Terra wrote to The Northern Light.

Brilliant Planet teamed up with the Blaine Police Department, Blaine Senior Center, Blaine business members and Bellingham-based bicycle manufacturer Trek to supply the children’s bikes, along with helmets and other gear.

Terra said that while registration is closed for this year’s free bike program, the organization will continue to gauge the community’s need as kids grow out of their bikes, Terra said.

For more information on the free bike program, visit bit.ly/467Y92G. For more information on Brilliant Planet, or to donate to help continue to supply local youth with recreation opportunities, visit brilliantplanet.org.

“We are so grateful and inspired by the community here, and so thankful for the opportunity to provide this as our first program,” Terra said.