Bus leads to bikes: 62 Wilmington students get new sets of wheels

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WILMINGTON — Sixty-two first- and second-graders from Denver Place, East End and Holmes elementary schools received quite a surprise Wednesday afternoon when their bus took a “detour” — and delivered them to the Roberts Centre where newly assembled bicycles awaited their arrival.

The bicycles were assembled piece by piece as a result of team-building efforts by employees of Clark, Schaffer and Hackett (CSH), a Cincinnati-based CPA and business consulting firm.

The excitement in building and presenting the bicycles had been growing throughout the day as Team Builders Plus facilitated its “Wheels for the World” workshop, where CSH employees completed challenges to earn bicycle parts to build real bikes for real kids.

At the end of the day, CSH employees not only benefited professionally by participating in the workshop challenges, but also by building, decorating and gifting their team’s bicycles to deserving students throughout the Wilmington City Schools community.

As students entered the conference room to a boisterous crowd of over 400 CSH and Team Builder employees, students were a bit overwhelmed by the cheers of support and celebration. But as bicycle after bicycle began to catch students’ attention, they soon realized that something exciting was about to happen.

The room quieted as Wilmington City Schools Superintendent Ron Sexton was invited to the microphone and shared with the audience that in November 2008, the City of Wilmington suffered a devastating loss of 10,000 jobs. And while the community has significantly recovered, the lasting effects of these losses are still present.

In many ways, the gifting of these bicycles will allow for a brighter holiday season for many of Wilmington’s elementary school students.

Following Sexton’s comments, 62 team representatives came forward to escort students to bicycles decorated in their honor. Handlebars sporting signs of encouragement furthered the Team Builders message that, “When you gift a child with a bicycle in Wheels for the World, you’re not just giving a child a toy, you’re giving them freedom and a healthy lifestyle.”

Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.

A shy but appreciative Sarah Campos gives her team a high five for their work in creating a bicycle just for her.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_IMG_3597.jpgA shy but appreciative Sarah Campos gives her team a high five for their work in creating a bicycle just for her. Courtesy photos

Students are greeted with a standing ovation filling the room with applause and cheers.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_IMG_3584.jpgStudents are greeted with a standing ovation filling the room with applause and cheers. Courtesy photos

Eric Linkenhoker was all smiles as his bicycle team presented him with a new set of wheels.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_IMG_3593.jpgEric Linkenhoker was all smiles as his bicycle team presented him with a new set of wheels. Courtesy photos
62 Wilmington students get new wheels

By Diana Miller

For The News Journal

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