Promotion by Lori Davis
Wish for Wheels
Wish for Wheels began partnering with companies and organizations in 2004 to empower second graders at Title I elementary schools with the gift of a new bike and helmet. Beginning with 68 children in 2004, the Denver-based nonprofit, Wish for Wheels (WFW), has been part of building and giving bikes to more than 85,000 second graders — the majority of them in Colorado.
WFW fulfills this mission through the generosity of corporate and local partners, who fund, build and give the bikes to the children at local schools through our Team Build and Give program.
Elementary schools throughout the Valley have reached out to WFW with the hopes of getting their second graders fitted with new bikes and helmets to give them 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.
Owning a bike is not just about having a means of transportation or having a new toy. It’s an on-ramp to a world full 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.
A new bike and helmet also provides children with the opportunity to connect with other riders and create a supportive network of friends who share a 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 outside and be active. Riding a bike helps improve cardiovascular fitness, balance and coordination. Plus, it allows kids to get a daily dose of fresh air and explore the outdoors. 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 Team Build and Give program offers local businesses a wonderful opportunity to volunteer, work together and interact directly with children in their community.
Here’s how it works. Our business partner’s employees build between 30 and 100 (plus) bikes through unique team-building challenges. Then, 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 their new bikes. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved. The professional teams walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and connection to each other and their communities.
The school districts in the Valley serve a diverse student population, including many families who face financial hardships. To qualify as a Title 1 school, 40% or more of the students must qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the Valley and the surrounding areas, many of the schools qualify as Title 1.
The gift of a new bike and a 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 are riding toward a brighter future.
Editor’s notes: According to the Colorado Department of Education, for the 2022-2023 school year, Basalt Elementary, Glenwood Springs Elementary, Sopris Elementary, Crystal River Elementary and Riverview School qualify as Title I elementary schools within the Roaring Fork School District.
Lori Davis is the director of sales and partner relations for Wish for Wheels. For more information and to get involved, go to www.wishforwheels.org