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| Bishop Louis Henderson of New Hope Ministries of Orlando visits the United Way Gifts in Kind Center to pick up new 20 bikes for children served by the church’s outreach programs. |
For the second year in a row, PricewaterhouseCoopers staff assembled bikes of all makes and sizes while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort for a company training conference. Working in teams to encourage cooperation, camaraderie and community service, the groups built 764 bikes for local charities and nonprofit organizations that serve children.
Distributing the bicycles to those in need was the job of the United Way Gifts in Kind Center, which last year collected and distributed nearly $1 million in donated goods, supplies and materials to help local nonprofits extend precious resources.
“We were happy to work with Pricewaterhouse in picking up the bikes and making sure they found their way to kids who really need them,” said Heart of Florida United Way Community Services Vice President Larry Olness. “This is a great example of what the Gifts in Kind Center is all about.”
In all, 25 local nonprofit agencies benefitted, including New Hope Ministries, which operates a children’s crisis center and other outreach programs serving downtown Orlando neighborhoods. New Hope Bishop Louis Henderson said the bikes are helping 20 low-income kids stay safe on busy streets while getting to school every day. “Many school bus routes were eliminated this year due to budget cutbacks,” Henderson said. “Some kids are walking up to two miles to get to school. The bikes make the trip easier, and the kids are overjoyed.”
According to Hope Kramer, President and CEO of BETA Center, Inc. – an Orlando-based agency serving at-risk parents and their children – the bikes were an unexpected delight.
“It was an incredible gift,” said Kramer. “We typically receive donated clothes, diapers and other practical items, but no one’s ever thought to donate bicycles – especially new ones. The happiness and surprise on the kids’ faces was precious.”
To learn more about the Gifts in Kind Center or to donate goods, click here.