In recognition of Memorial Day, Kids Korps and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, teamed up to give away bicycles and helmets to local military children. The event took place at Cathedral High School and was hosted and funded by the CHS Teen Korps chapter.

As teen volunteers arrived, boxes of bicycle parts were unloaded and ready for assembly for local military children. Volunteers paired up and soon wheels, handle bars, reflectors and other bicycle parts were seen spread out with one partner reading directions and others putting pieces together.  It soon became apparent that the bike building was taking second place to team building.

“This is one of the most rewarding volunteering experiences because you can see the joy in the face of each of these kids” remarked senior Alex Moffit. After several hours of steering wheel assembling, brake adjusting, and tire pumping, the shiny new bicycles were ready to be ridden off. In addition to a bicycle, each child was given a safety helmet.

Recipient children waited patiently, eager to receive their new bicycles.  Kids Korps volunteers who assembled the bicycles were glowing just as much as the children who received them. Volunteers then fitted the children for helmets, and helped the recipient kids ride their new bikes for the first time.

Namath Hahn, Family Readiness Officer, who selected the children from families whose parents are deployed, remarked, “I want to say thank the Benassi Family, Kids Korps, Rotarian volunteers and all the teenagers that were part of the event. I was deeply touched and want to hug each of you individually so that you know how much it meant to all of the military families in attendance. For young people such as yourselves, to give so freely of your time and resources, is beyond words. My daughter Bella was so happy and in love with her princess bike, that it was difficult getting her off it and placing it in the car to transport. When we got home, she sat on it and we practiced riding and even after that, it was a challenge to get her to part with the pretty pink helmet. Although we don’t know each other personally, I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that you’ve touched us and your kindness will never be forgotten.”

“Thank you so very much for the new bike. We’ve been a part of the military for over seven years and have never received such a wonderful gift. Don’t get us wrong, the military provides our family with wonderful perks, but being able to receive a gift that seemed so personal really meant a lot to our family. We know that it was done out of the kindness of your heart.  We just want to say thank you, thank you and thank you,” added The Brass Family.

“It’s nice to see good teenagers make the effort to reach out to our military! It helps us to know that their sacrifices are not going unnoticed,” smiled Nissy Smith.

The Build-A-Bike program provides Kids Korps volunteers with a great sense of accomplishment.  On the receiving end, nothing can describe the look on a child’s face as he or she is presented with a brand new bicycle. “Our military families do so much, and this is one way we can thank them for their sacrifices and brighten their day,” said Don Meredith.

“There is nothing more gratifying than knowing you have helped make someone else’s life a little better,” smiled Kids Korps Program Director Robin Chappelow. “This is a life lesson that we hope all our members understand when they become involved in Kids Korps projects. Our teens learn the value of giving to someone who is less fortunate than they are, and at the same time feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they complete the assembly of each bicycle. Volunteers see first-hand the happiness they bring to others.”

Thank you to Marian, Chris and Max Benassi, the many Teen Korps volunteers, and Rotarians Ole Prahm and Don Meredith who spent the afternoon assembling bicycles for these deserving youngsters.