Corporate Sponsorships Give Bikes, Helmets to RFV Kids

Link to the original article here.

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Wish for Wheels began partnering with companies and organizations in 2004 to empower second-graders at Title I elementary schools through the gift of a new bike and helmet. Beginning with 68 children in 2004, Denver-based nonprofit Wish for Wheels has built and gifted bikes to more than 85,000 second-graders, a majority living here in Colorado. 

Wish for Wheels fulfills this mission through the generosity of corporate and local partners, who fund, build and donate the bikes to the children at local schools through our Team Build and Give program. 

Elementary schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and Glenwood Springs have reached out to Wish for Wheels with the hopes of giving their second-graders all the opportunities that owning a bike can provide. If you remember how you felt when you received your first bike, you understand the significance of this gift. 

Owning a bike isn’t just about having a means of transportation or having a new toy. It's an onramp to a world of possibility. A new bike offers a sense of freedom and independence. It allows kids to explore their neighborhoods, visit friends and go on adventures, all while gaining a sense of responsibility for their own mobility. This newfound independence fosters self-confidence, decision-making skills and a sense of accomplishment in children. 

Bicycles also provide children with the opportunity to connect with other riders and create a supportive network of friends who share their passion for cycling. As many Coloradans know, the sense of community through cycling or any activity done with friends promotes social skills, teamwork and empathy among children. 

Owning a bike also promotes physical health. In an age where screen-time often takes precedence over outdoor activities, a bicycle gives children a tool to get out and be active. Riding a bike improves cardiovascular fitness, balance and coordination and allows kids a daily dose of fresh air.

Every week at Wish for Wheels, we see the impact that a new bike can have in the lives of children and their families. Not only do the kids benefit, but our program offers teams a wonderful opportunity to volunteer, work together and interact directly with children in the community. 

Here’s how it works: Our corporate partner employees build between 30 and 100-plus bikes through unique team-building challenges. After building the bikes with their co-workers, they experience firsthand the joy of “new bike day” as they spend time with the children, fit their helmets, adjust their seats and encourage or teach them how to ride. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Our partners’ teams walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and connection to each other and their communities. 

Our school districts in the RFV — Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs — serve a diverse student population including many families who face financial hardships. To qualify as a Title I school, 40% or more of the students must qualify for free or reduced lunch. Therefore, many RFV schools qualify as Title I. 

The gift of a new bike and helmet can have a profound and lasting impact on these children now and for the rest of their lives. As they pedal through their communities, they are not only riding bikes, they’re riding toward a brighter future.