MANSFIELD, Ohio – Santa got a little help on Tuesday night from a group of Richland County businesses looking to boost the Christmas season for local children.
The Richland Young Professionals teamed with Richland Bank, Shelby Bicycle Days and the Ontario Walmart to brighten the holidays for 51 of the community’s neediest children.
The giving began last year when this project raised enough money to purchase 20 bicycles.
“This year the Spokes4Kids program got 19 teams together. Last year we had eight,” said Emily Keinath, Treasurer of Richland Young Professionals. “Those teams are groups of five or so businesses. Each team came up with about $125.”
Kristie Massa, marketing director for Richland Bank, was at Walmart Monday night loading bicycles into vehicles. She was one of a group of energetic adult elves carrying bicycles to the checkout counter, and out into the parking lot.
“They came to us to be a sponsor of the event and it was a no-brainer,” Massa said. “What kid doesn’t need a new bike?”
The bicycles were loaded into a number of vehicles and taken to Crossroads Church. From there they will be distributed later this month through the Richland County Children’s Auxiliary as part of their overall Christmas project. The project identifies 1,000 of the county’s neediest children and tries to provide Christmas gifts for as many as possible.
Monday night was an integral part of that endeavor.
“I have two kids of my own, and knowing we can help them is a great thing,” said Cayleb Cox, a Walmart manager. “They raised $2,700 and their goal was 50 bikes. We wanted to help them reach that goal.”
Walmart donated three bicycles and took 20 percent off the sticker price to help the project exceed its goal with 51 bicycles.
“Sometimes you’re afraid they’ll think this is too big of a company,” Cox said. “It’s nice to know people in the community will reach out to us.”
Organizers tried to get as close to a 1-1 ratio as possible, but Cox noted there may have been a couple more bicycles for girls than boys. The bikes ranged from 16- to 20-inches.
Keinath said planning for next year begins in January, and the hope is to again improve on the number of bicycles donated.
“We’re a subcommittee of Shelby Bicycle Days,” said Cody Albert, chair of Shelby Bicycle Days. “This is our philanthropic project.”
