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Jan Maloff receives the Community Impact Hero Award Jan Maloff receives the Community Impact Hero Award

Jan Maloff receives the Community Impact Hero Award

By Josue Marquez

Jan Maloff gives a speech after receiving the Community Impact Hero Award from the American Red Cross at the Mariott Syracuse Downtown on Dec. 7, 2022. Maloff has been refurbishing bikes and giving them back to the community for the past 25 years and was nominated for the award.
© 0 Josue Marquez and Jacob VanAmburg

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – For the past 25 years Jan Maloff has been refurbishing bikes and giving them back to the community, but now it’s time for the community to recognize him through the American Red Cross. On Dec. 7 Maloff received the Community Impact Hero Award after being nominated from the community.

“I said to myself, ‘I’ll make sure every child has a brand-new bike,’” said Maloff. “Owning a bike is a rite of passage.”

When Maloff was young he had his bike stolen out of his front yard, and since then has worked to make sure every child can have a bike. Maloff founded Central New York Family Bicycle Giveaway Foundation and working alongside them he has donated more than 50,000 bikes back to the community. Jan is able to exceed these numbers now with the help of more volunteers,

“He’ll do anything to make things work and he’ll find a way,” said Gina Scaia, a volunteer that works closely with Maloff. “And we found the way to make this work.”

It’s not every day that a local hero receives the recognition they deserve. Maloff has no plans to stop giving bikes back to the community.

JACOB VANAMBURG
As a young kid Jan Maloff had his bike stolen, and since then he’s made a promise.

JAN MALOFF
I said to myself, I’ll make sure every child has a brand new bike. Owning a bike is a right of passage. You grow up, your parent puts the training wheels on your bike. Eventually, they come off. You get some independence.

VANAMBURG
For the past 25 years, Jan and the CNY Family Bike Giveaway Foundation have donated more than 50,000 bikes… No matter the circumstances.

GINA SCAIA
He’ll do anything to make things work and you know find a way, you know? And we did, we found a way to make this work.

VANAMBURG
These bikes next to me are only a small part of what Jan has done for the greater community, and they want to recognize him through the American Red Cross.

LISA SMITH
He was nominated by somebody from the community for all his good work and I have to say, over the years, I’ve donated bicycles. I actually have one in my garage right now that I need to get over to him.

VANAMBURG
Jim received the Community Impact Hero Award, but to those around him, it means so much more.

SPOKESPERSON
Jan, with each bicycle you give, you give freedom independence and fun.

PATRICK BATER
And what more can you ask for? A person that’s dedicated to give to people.. and just to give.

VANAMBURG
And Jan has no plans to stop until that promise all those years ago comes true.

MALOFF
I’ll never forget this day, this day thank you very much for all coming and supporting the Red Cross.

VANAMBURG
NCC News. Jacob VanAmburg.

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