With the holiday shopping season already in full swing, one of the hottest items for Christmas year after year is a new bike.

But not all families can afford the two-wheeled luxury, so two men on Anna Maria Island are helping fill that void.

Carl Augostini and Charles Wade are known as the island bike men. However, they should be called the bike elves. Every year, they fix up old bikes and donate them to those in need before Christmas.

“People just drop them off,” Augostini said. “They find them on the highway and more. I don’t really know where they come from. People just leave them.”

Augostini is a retired electrical engineer. He said for years he worked on bikes for neighbors and friends. He can fix up any bike that comes his way.

“Originally I struggled with 10-speeds, but everything is online now and I study how they adjust it,” said Augostini. “If I can get the parts, I can put it together.”

A few years ago, when things slowed down with his hobby of fixing up bikes, he reached out to see if he could donate the bikes to those in need. That’s when he teamed up Wade.

Wade is the Facility Administrator and Minister at Roser Community Church on the island. He helps place the refurbished bikes with those who need them the most.

“I directly say to them, 'What about your little girl, does she need a bicycle?' ” asked Wade. “They say, 'Yes, she needs a bike.' I say, 'Well, I got one for you and you won’t be charged anything.' "

With all sizes of bikes on hand, some will go to young children, some to teens, and some to adults who need transportation.

“It makes me feel good because I’m not doing it for myself," Wade said. "I’m doing it for the kids and adults."

Augostini said it takes him about 20 hours per bike. The men do the work all on their own with no monetary donations. They said they find it very rewarding.

However, one thing they wish they could see is the children’s faces when they get their gifts.

“That’s probably the biggest disappointment,” said Augostini.  “ I don’t see the kids when they get the bikes. I would like that.”

The men said even though they don’t see their reactions, they know the bikes are appreciated and that makes them happy.