Needy local families can receive both a spiritual and a physical boost this holiday season, courtesy of Cross Gates Athletic Club.

The facility is sponsoring a drive to collect new bicycles for clients of Community Christian Concern, the nonprofit organization that serves area residents who are underprivileged or otherwise in need. Club members and others are being asked to either purchase a bike or contribute money toward a bike purchase, and Cross Gates will pick it up.

Cross Gates has worked with CCC previously on holiday projects, such as last year’s Angel Wall, but this is the first time they’ve sponsored a drive of this nature. “Since our mission is to keep people healthy, we thought we would switch gears,” said Stephanie Howell, the club’s program director. “This way we can help families at Christmas by bringing them together in healthy activities.”

The Rev. Eugene Wellington, executive director of CCC, said he is excited to work with Cross Gates on the project and said his agency will accept applications from anyone, as long as they have not applied to participate in a similar program somewhere else. Applications must provide the age and gender of the intended recipient, as well as a Social Security number and proof of income. A food stamp voucher will suffice.

Cross Gates hopes to collect at least 80 bikes for the project.

Anyone interested in donating an already-assembled bicycle may drop it off at 200 Military Road, while those wishing to make monetary donations only can stop by the club’s newest location at 4038 Pontchartrain Drive.

To apply for the program, go to the CCC office located at 2228 Second St. or call 647-0357.

For more information on how to donate, call 643-3500 or stop by either Cross Gates location.