Bike donation tradition continues in Livingston

Fifty children in Livingston will enjoy brand new bikes this Christmas thanks to the annual bike donation from Livingston’s Millard family and the MacKinnon family of Petaluma.

Both families were united 10 years ago when Kalem Millard, 20, was killed during an ATV accident. Kalem’s organs were donated and one of the beneficiaries was then 19-year-old Jake MacKinnon, who suffers from diabetes and received Kalem’s pancreas.

This is the fifth year that the two families have raised money to purchase bicycles for Livingston children. They come together each December to drop off the bicycles at the Livingston Police Department. The bicycles will be distributed at the annual “Kops for Kids” event at the City Council Chambers on Dec. 18.

This is also the largest donation the families have been able to make, said Tish Millard, Kalem’s mother. In addition to the 50 bikes that were donated in Livingston, the families also donated 50 bikes in Sonoma County, distributing them among three fire stations.

“The number (of bikes) just keeps going up every year, and we would like for it to grow even more,” Tish Millard said Sunday. Because more than 300 children attend the “Kops for Kids” event each year, the goal would be to provide a bicycle for each child so that no one is left out, she added.

Tish Millard attended the bike giveaway last year, and while rewarding, said it was difficult to watch because she misses her son a great deal. She explained that each bike carries a photo of Kalem as a way to remember him.

“(Kalem) would have loved this,” she said. “He would have thought we were making a big deal, but I think he would like seeing the smile on kids’ faces when they get their bikes.”

This year, the families’ bond grew stronger. In July, Janice MacKinnon, Jake’s mother, donated a kidney to Kalem’s father, Bill Millard. The families explained that type of dual organ transplant is rare. “Luckily, it was just a good match,” Bill Millard said.

On Saturday, both families met in Petaluma for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and dinner in honor of Kalem.

Both families hope to continue and expand the tradition. Those wishing to contribute to the program, “Kalem’s Giving Tree,” can do so year round at any West American Bank.

This story was originally published December 7, 2014 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Bike donation tradition continues in Livingston."