It’s Christmas and it’s a Friday. What more could we ask for? How about some facts full of goodwill and charity? In today’s edition of Fast Facts Friday,  we’re focusing on some of the heartwarming acts of kindness that coincide with this specific holiday. From serving hot meals to the less fortunate to donating gifts to charities across the country, Americans seem to have a penchant for helping those in need during Christmas and the holiday season.

1. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department (today) is holding its annual Christmas Bicycle Program, which provides low-income children with a free, newly refurbished bicycle and helmet. This year they’ll be handing out roughly 450 new bikes and helmets. (Santa Maria Times)

2. For each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas, the Disneyland Resort does some MAJOR goodwill, including: sending military care packages, gift and food donations and hosting holiday parties. In all, more than $12 million in cash and in-kind goods will have been donated by the Disneyland Resort and its cast members in 2009. (Disney Parks Blog)

3. In the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area the Salvation Army-Fox Cities Christmas Program is providing 2,008 households with assistance this year. Thanks to record-breaking giving for the Toys for Tots program there are more than 15,000 toys waiting to be handed out. That’s up 40% from last year! (WBay.com)

4. The largest charitable donation in history came from the second richest man in the world Warren Buffet, who donated nearly $31 billion to the Gates Foundation in 2006. (FiveCentNickel.com)

5. In a survey conducted by 3BL Media 82% percent of respondents said it is important to donate money and 79% had done so already in 2009. 90% of respondents said they will donate more in 2010. (3BLMedia.com)

Did you make any charitable donations in 2009? Do you have a favorite cause or charity you donate to? If so, we’d love to hear about it! Just leave a message below!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Bell Sports!!!

Hopefully all your cards have been sent, your house smells of fresh pine needles and colorful lights are shining brightly in and outside your home, because today is Christmas Eve! Everywhere, people are busy singing carols, doing last minute holiday shopping, wrapping gifts and getting ready to spend quality time with their families and loved ones. The eggnog may very well have already started flowing, the ugly sweaters in full effect and children across the United States are anticipating a busy morning of digging through stockings and tearing through apart wrapping paper.

Indeed, the Holidays are heartwarming for everyone, including us here at Bell Sports. This is in part due to some of the aforementioned holiday customs (who doesn’t enjoy a hearty ugly sweater party?!), but also because of all the new bikes being rolled out this season.

We spoke with Santa earlier this month, and he said that, traditionally, a bicycle is one of the first things on many children’s wish lists. Of course, we made sure Santa had our phone number so he could place orders for True Fit Helmets to go with all those bicycles! We thoroughly enjoy the thought of children across the land jumping on a bike for the first time and starting what hopefully turns into a healthy lifetime hobby.

For some tips on how to properly teach your little one how to ride a bike, check out REI’s expert advice. They suggest the most important consideration when teaching a child to ride is that you keep it fun. Some children will pick it up faster than others, and patience is key. For more information, including the proper way to wear a helmet, check out REI’s Teaching a Child How to Ride a Bike.

Another fun and exciting thing to do around Christmas, specifically, is to bake cookies and leave them out near the fireplace with a glass of milk, so as to build anticipation for your little ones. But rather than making them wait up all night to catch a glimpse of ol’ Saint Nick, why not actually track Santa on his journey around the world this Christmas Eve? NORAD, the bi-national military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada has been tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve journey’s for more than 50 years. You and your children will easily be able to find out where Santa is at anytime on Christmas Eve at NoradSanta.org.

Also, in case you missed our holiday helmet giveaway that took place last week, we are extending the holiday spirit post-holiday – we’ll be giving away more free goodies early in the New Year! Check back soon for your chance to win!!

On a final note…regardless of what Holiday you celebrate (it doesn’t matter if there are sugar plums dancing around in your head or Latkes on your plate), we at Bell wish you a very Happy Holiday!!