The GSF Foundation (GSFF) celebrated a significant milestone this year for its Bike Building and Pedal to Perfection programs with more than 10,000 bikes donated to kids since the Foundation’s inception in 2002. Partnering with local nonprofits and elementary schools, 11 committees participated in GSFF bike programs this year and donated more than 560 bikes to children in need in their local communities.
For the Bike Building program, volunteers mentored kids in assembling their brand-new bikes. Additionally, children received safety gear and accessories, including helmets and locks, along with the enriching experience of learning to build a bike. This opportunity for individual growth teaches kids the importance of safety, goal setting, and the value of hard work to achieve those goals.
Volunteers from Golden State Foods (GSF) in Conyers, Georgia worked with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to donate 25 bikes, while Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) Los Angeles provided 15 bikes to a local elementary school. QCD Frisco teamed up with the local fire and police departments to provide 50 bikes to students at Mendenhall Elementary in Texas. A first-time volunteer shared his touching experience from the event:
“This year’s Bike Build event was special because it was my first time delivering a bike to a child,” said Dalton Villarreal, Staff Accountant, QCD Frisco. “An eight-year-old boy’s joy and gratitude for receiving a bike moved me deeply. His excitement reminded me of the profound impact even small acts of kindness can have. I felt a lump in my throat as I realized how much a simple bike meant to him. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to volunteering. It reminded me that no matter how small an act of kindness might seem, it can tremendously impact someone’s life.”
Other committees supported charities that assist children and families facing medical challenges. QCD Dallas and QCD Denver both supported HopeKids, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring and transforming the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. While QCD Denver partnered with the Aurora Police Department to build 20 bikes with the children, QCD Dallas and their local fire department guided 20 children through building new bikes.
“The whole team stepped up to provide an incredible experience for all the kids involved in this event,” said Brian Howell, General Manager II and GSFF Assistant Chair at QCD Dallas. “The joy we experienced and saw in these kids facing such medical challenges is immeasurable! This is why I am honored to be a part of the GSF Foundation and look forward to many more events like this in the future.”
Associates from GSF Irvine collaborated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County for the third consecutive year. Volunteering to serve as a “big for the day,” Irvine associates mentored 30 children on the nonprofit’s waitlist for a big brother or sister during a fun-filled morning bike-building event in June. QCD Charlotte donated 35 bikes and partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cabarrus County for their annual event.
“In our eighth year of support, our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club for the Bike Build event through the GSF Foundation Charlotte remains incredibly meaningful,” said Pete Van Saun, Safety and Training Manager and GSFF Assistant Chair for QCD Charlotte. “This ongoing collaboration highlights our dedication to empowering youth and enhancing community well-being. It embodies the spirit of the Foundation through the passion and commitment of our volunteers.”
Two committees also participated in the Foundation’s Pedal to Perfection program, which raises student attendance rates by helping schools develop programs that reward students for exceptional attendance and other beneficial school conduct. Students who achieved nearly perfect attendance received a new bike, helmet, and lock. QCD Spokane donated 25 bikes to Stevens Elementary School, while QCD Las Vegas donated 120 bikes to Louis Craig Elementary. Gema Lopez, Human Resources Supervisor and GSFF Chair for QCD Las Vegas, commented on the significance of this program.
“Our team did a great job; we learned that as a united team, we can empower the children of Southern Nevada to reach their full potential and succeed in life, one bike at a time,” said Gema. “We are so happy to see the children’s faces when learning about the bike giveaway; we hope this memory lives with them forever.”
This fall, two additional GSFF committees plan to host their annual bike-building events. QCD Waipahu will donate 28 bikes to children in Hawaii, and GSF Burleson will donate 200 bikes, a record amount among this year’s participating committees.
The GSFF Bike Building program aims to provide school-aged children with the opportunity to learn about safety, while instilling fundamental life skills as volunteers coach them through building a bike. To a child in need, a bike represents freedom and helps develop their sense of adventure. These donations also enable children to make healthy choices through regular physical activity.