Two hundred youth recently served by Metro Parks community centers took home ‘like-new’ bicycles, brand-new helmets and locks as part of Hands On Nashville’s third ReCYCLE for Kids Giveaway event.
ReCYCLE for Kids presented by Jackson National Life Insurance is a three-tiered initiative that engages community members in donating, refurbishing and gifting bicycles to local youth. The giveaway event was the culmination of volunteer-powered efforts that began in December 2014.
“It has been inspiring to see the community rally around each phase of ReCYCLE for Kids,” said Brian Williams, president/CEO of Hands On Nashville. “Since December, we’ve heard countless stories from bike donors, recounting the experiences of their own first bikes. We’ve spent hours airing up tires and fixing bike chains with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who were proud to help; and today, we met 200 youth who will have the opportunity to enjoy these bikes for years to come.”
Hands On Nashville kicked off its 2014–15 ReCYCLE for Kids effort with a communitywide bike drive at 20 locations on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, including Metro Parks community centers and Middle Tennessee YMCAs. Through the spring, individuals and businesses generously donated more than 350 gently used bikes. During the last two months, volunteers refurbished those bikes at the Oasis Center’s Bike Workshop—cleaning and repairing the bikes for their new owners.
During the giveaway event at Kirkpatrick Community Center, riders selected a bike, were fitted for a new helmet, and completed a bike skills and safety course led by Walk/Bike Nashville.
“Metro Parks is proud to partner with Hands On Nashville on this initiative that encourages youth to engage in fun, healthy activities.” said Tommy Lynch, director of Metro Parks.” ReCYCLE for Kids serves as a great complement to the youth programming offered through our neighborhood community centers each day, and we’re pleased to start the summer by hosting this giveaway.”
Overall, the effort engaged more than 220 community volunteers, including many from Nashville’s business community such as Jackson, Regions and Emdeon.
“Jackson employees are passionate about engaging in enrichment initiatives that support the young people in our community,” said Corinne Bergeron, corporate social responsibility manager for Jackson. “The joys and benefits of riding a bike are universal, and our team has truly rallied around this opportunity to lend a hand to Nashville youth.”
Since its inception in 2012, ReCYCLE for Kids has made bike ownership a reality for more than 700 youth. This summer, Hands On Nashville plans to distribute any remaining bikes to area partners also working to encourage healthy, active youth lifestyles.
Hands On Nashville (HON) works to address critical issues facing the Middle Tennessee community through volunteer-centric programming. Annually, HON connects thousands of volunteers to service opportunities supporting area nonprofits as well as its programs in urban agriculture, home energy savings, youth leadership development and support of public education. Hands On Nashville challenges everyone to find a way to make a difference. For more information, visit or call 615-298-1108; or Kealie Williams, Hands On Nashville, 952-807-3218, <kealie@hon.org>.
