Second graders rush to claim their new bikes. (Mark Peterson)
A seven-year-old with his first bike. (Mark Peterson)
Medtronic volunteers pose with the bikes they assembled just before the kids got their pick. (Mark Peterson)
An after-school festival for Valley View Elementary school 2nd graders and their parents ended with a big surprise: free bicycles.
The bicycle giveaway that took place at the school on Thursday, Sept. 12, was the culmination of a joint project between the school and Fridley-based Medtronic Corporation. The Medtronic Foundation, which financed the event, focuses on supporting volunteerism and “supporting the communities where Medtronic employees live and give.”
After hot dogs, lemonade, temporary tattoos and dancing, the festival goers were brought around the south end of the school building to find a double row of 100 bright blue Huffy Rock It bikes, each with its own helmet and bike lock. The young students broke into a run to claim their prizes, unaware, as were most of their parents, what was happening until that moment.
Looking on were Valley View staff members, including Principal Jason Kuhlman, Columbia Heights Superintendent of Schools Zena Stenvik, Executive Director of Educational Services Bondo Nyembwe, Director of Education and Communications Kristen Stuenkel, State Representative Erin Koegel and Medtronic Foundation President Dr. Sally Saba. Also present were dozens of the more than 400 Medtronic employee volunteers who assembled the bicycles back in July.
As the families were loading bicycles into trunks and over tailgates, Saba said, “One young lady said this was the best day of her life. That is why we do this. I hope that they all are inspired, and we give them freedom, and the opportunity for life in the world in different ways.”
