Santa Wheels
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Santa Wheels is a volunteer program created in 1995 by Master Pontiac Buick GMC and re-launched in 2006 in Augusta, Georgia. A combination of non-profit and business organizations cooperate to encourage deserving children, in the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area – includes Augusta, Martinez, Evans, North Augusta, and other cities), with the gift of a single-speed bicycle, helmet and safety education during the month of December. To support job training of workers seeking to enter or reenter the workforce by utilizing Goodwill Industries' training and mentoring program to repair and recondition donated bicycles.
From 1995 until 1998 hundreds of bicycles were distributed to children providing encouragement and a positive holiday season for deserving children. In 2006 the concept of a Bicycle Rodeo was utilized to distribute 153 bicycles, safety helmets and safety training. The children and parents are introduced to the safety training available through the organization Safe Kids and the large number of lifesaving resources they have assembled and disseminate each day.
During 2006 and 2007 over 20 homeless veterans have been exposed to job training through the Santa Wheels program.
[edit] References
- Anderson, Jeff. "OYS Santa Wheels", The WRDW News Channel 12, 2007-12-05. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
- Rines, Bob. "New wheels for Christmas", The Augusta Chronicle, 1996-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
- Steel, Debbie. "Refurbishing bikes brings excitement to employees", The Augusta Chronicle, 1997-12-28. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
- MacIntire, Jerry. "Program gives bikes to kids", The Augusta Chronicle, 2006-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
