BETHEL, CT (BRAIN)—Representatives from five brands within the Cannondale Sports Group gathered in Bethel at the Cannondale headquarters Wednesday night to refurbish more than 50 donated children's bikes for local non-profit, Danbury Youth Services.
Employees from Cannondale, Schwinn GT, Mongoose, and Sugoi volunteered their time to wash, repair and tune up children's bikes, which will go to Danbury children between the ages of 3 and 18 this holiday season.
"You have no idea how much brighter you've made the holidays for the children who will receive these bikes," said Tom Thomassen, project director of the Wheels for Kids program.
Local bike shop Bethel Cycles donated new brake pads, cables, tires, tubes and reflectors to help return bikes to a safe and ride-able condition.
"When I think about how we normally work on these bicycles— in a donated, vacant storefront—having the Cannondale facility and talent is truly incredible," said David Campbell, director of technical services for Cannondale. "We have World Cup mechanics like Doug Dalton wrenching on kid's bikes. This means so much to the local children who benefit from this program."
The Danbury Youth Services nearly cancelled the program earlier this month after not being able to raise the necessary $1,600 dollars to continue through the holiday season. Cannondale donated that money last week, and a related news story in the Danbury News-Times generated donation pledges that exceeded expectations.
