Thanks to Wish for Wheels, all of the Level 2 students at Sherrelwood Elementary received brand new bikes, helmets and even a lesson on how to ride. Founded in 2004, Wish for Wheels is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing new bikes to elementary school students.

Over the past two decades over 100,000 children at Title One schools and Boys and Girls Clubs across the country have had the thrill of owning their very first bike. For second graders, a bicycle is so much more than two wheels– it can be a symbol of freedom and independence. 

“It’s a really fun toy, but more than that, it’s autonomy," explained Nicholas Leng, the build/give specialist for Wish for Wheels. "It can help them get to school, to friends’ houses, [or] to grandma’s house." 

WPS Superintendent Dr. Jeni Gotto added, “This allows them to be able to practice responsibility…knowing where they keep their bike at night.”

The impact of the program extends beyond the children. Different businesses partner with Wish for Wheels, sending volunteers to build bikes and connect with the community. Last week employees from the finance app Robinhood helped assemble the bikes and teach students how to ride them. Leng looked on with pride, “It’s really cool just to see these adults...getting to connect with kids that they might not get to connect with every day.”