Wheels for Kids provides bicycles for 57 children
A total of 57 kids from the North Anderson Boys and Girls Club were awarded new bicycles recently through the Wheels for Kids Program, a program initiated by Melissa and Jim Charles. The kids were all from Lake City Elementary and Lake City Middle School.
The event was held at Main Street Baptist Church in Rocky Top.
The program was initiated and bicycles were donated by Melissa and Jim Charles, longtime supporters of the club.
Children lined the streets to test their new bikes and participated in a bike parade down Main Street.
Helmets were provided by the East Tennessee Epilepsy Foundation.
Hot dogs and chips were provided for the celebration also and professional photos of each child with their bikes and helmets were made.
To qualify for a bike, students needed to attend school 95 percent of the school year, attend the club 75 percent of the school year, complete a bike safety class and pledge to take care of their bikes, maintain a “C” grade point average and have satisfactory conduct during the year.
“Jim and I saw a similar program on 60 Minutes and decided this is something we would like to start in our area. We wanted to give the children an incentive for attendance, better grades and good behavior — all things that will help them succeed in life. Kids love bikes, so we thought this would be great and a bonus is they get some exercise,” said Melissa.
The Charles’ hope to continue the program next year, when the 57 kids will have the opportunity to turn in these bikes and get another new bike, while the used bikes get refurbished for another program.
“My goal is for every kid that attends the club regularly to get a bike,” said Melissa.
Club staff are Mike Swisher, Charity Wilson, Jackie Ciuffini, Wendall Goodman, Katie Tidwell, and Sandra Nelson.
The club is located at Lake City Elementary School.
For more information about the program, contact the North Anderson County Boys and Girls Club at 865.232.1234.