Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation awards $18,000 for Bike Club
Last week, Nike, Inc. announced grants totaling $300,000 to 27 local nonprofits and schools through the Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundationfor its Summer 2011 program.
Breesa Culver, our Development Manager, joined Secretary of State Kate Brown and Kathy Webb of Nike for an award presentation and celebration last Thursday at the Nike Factory Store reception.
We are elated to announce that we are among the recipients! We received an $18,000 grant to support Bike Club. This grant will fund three semesters of Bike Club in two N/NE Portland elementary schools, empowering 36 youth with bicycles, helmets, and safety education.
With the support of the Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, we are excited to continue our innovative Bike Club program in the New Columbia neighborhood and at Harvey Scott Elementary School, which serves kids who live in Hacienda CDC housing. “We are thrilled to continue offering our programs at Harvey Scott and in the New Columbia neighborhood,” noted Kim Whitney, our Youth Programs Manager. “At both sites, students have been enthusiastic about bikes and we look forward to seeing their skills and confidence grow as they continue to ride with us.”
Bike Club is a free after-school program for children ages 8-13 from families with low incomes. Kids in Bike Club meet twice weekly over six weeks for a total of 24 hours of hands-on learning and physical activity. Students improve their bike handling and maintenance skills, knowledge, and confidence through neighborhood rides, mechanical lessons, and educational bike games. At the end of each club, participants earn their own refurbished bicycles along with new locks, tools, and helmets.