RIVERSIDE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Jenson USA and Free Agent BMX Bicycles handed out 60 bikes to elementary students during the annual East Hills Holiday Bicycle Giveaway on Christmas Eve.
The "Kommute For Kids" is a Jenson USA community program designed to encourage its employees to embrace the many benefits of the cycling lifestyle while earning bicycles for the Holiday Giveaway.
By commuting to work via bicycle, individual Jenson USA employees log miles toward the donation of a bike. Starting last spring, more than 30 Jenson USA employees took part in this program resulting in 60 new Free Agent BMX bikes being awarded at Longfellow Elementary and Emerson Elementary schools in Riverside.
"Making a selection of the most worthy students to receive new bicycles is always a difficult task faced by school administrators and the teaching staffs," said Jenson USA founder and CEO, Michael Cachat. "This year, the selection process included a learning experience requiring students to write a short essay focused on the theme, 'Every Ride Is Epic, Where Would Your Bike Take You?' The essay submissions were genuinely poignant and heartwarming, especially during the holiday season."
A fifth grader wrote: "My bike will take me to school and home. Sometimes when I come to school I come late because I live far away and my family does not have a car. And I want a bike so I can go to my grandma's house. I also want to ride my bike with my uncle Alex because he has a bike but I don't. It would be fun."
During the presentation ceremonies at each school, Jackie Reseigne, Jenson USA's customer engagement/events specialist, delivered a talk about bicycle safety and the importance of always wearing a helmet when riding. In addition to the bicycles, locks and helmets, students also enjoyed a BMX bicycle tricks demonstration by Jenson USA's Trevor Edwards.
