“Who wants a bike?”
“MEEEEEE!”
That was the resounding response from kids at the Boys & Girls Club of West Plant City on December 16.
We’re thrilled to say those 50 kids got their wish – in the form of their very own, brand-new bike, in a very special holiday surprise.
The happy story got its wheels when Tampa Electric partnered with the Tampa nonprofit Onbikes. A part of Onbikes’ mission is to help kids discover the healthy joys of riding a bike.
When Onbikes held a bike-building event at Amalie Arena, Tampa Electric volunteers rode in to help. Then, on December 16, Tampa Electric line workers and Onbikes delivered 50 bikes to the Boys & Girls Club, whose goal is to help young people reach their full potential.
The line workers helped match the bikes to the kids, adjusting seat heights, helping them get their balance and ringing handlebar bells.
The end result was dozens of smiling, happy and thankful kids testing their shiny new wheels.
“We just knew it was going to be magic,” said Tai Ishia Robinson, area director of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay. “We know our parents are working overtime to make ends meet…it’s something they probably would not have been able to get otherwise. We’re super grateful!”
The kids agreed, shouting:
“THANK YOU TECO!”
