For the second year in a row, the Colorado Convention Center (CCC) has partnered with Denver-based nonprofit Wish for Wheels, which organizes bike builds with volunteers to bring dreams to life for underserved second graders in the community. Since the organization was founded in 2004, it has been on a mission to provide every second grader in need with their very own bike and helmet. The Wish for Wheels team can work in any state and handles everything behind the scenes: coordinating with schools, organizing the bike builds (which can also double as a team-buidling activity for groups), and having volunteers present the bikes in person to see kids ride what likely are their first bikes.
“This event has become one of our most popular team-building and volunteer activities, thanks to the convenience of hosting it on-site and our company’s paid volunteer time program, which encourages employees to participate and support our philanthropic efforts,” says Kayla VanCleve, assistant director of sales for CCC through ASM Global, which manages the convention center. “The following week, several volunteers joined the bike giveaway, a celebratory event where we connect with the second graders who benefit from the Wish for Wheels mission and witness the positive impact of our involvement in the community.” In addition to creating an opportunity to give back, these bike builds also can help build camaraderie among participating attendees.
