Special Holiday Delivery - 800 bicycles for at-risk and foster children in Tampa Bay

Photos (L to R): Photo 1: David Lewis, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Central/North Florida, assembles a bicycle during the annual onbikes Bike Build at the Amalie Area in Tampa. Photo 2: Dr. Christine Laramée, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare of Central/North Florida, helps put on training wheels on the bike assembly line. Photo 3: The 6th Annual Winter Wonder Ride at Curtis Hixon Park drew more than 2,500 riders. Photo 4: Approximately 800 at-risk and foster children will receive the bicycles donated by onbikes and built by volunteers, shown on display at the Winter Wonder Ride.

Hundreds of at-risk and foster children in the Tampa Bay region will receive their first bicycles this holiday season from onbikes, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote self-confidence and health by providing a safe physical activity.

Onbikes 6th Annual Winter Wonder Ride held Dec.10, 2016 raised funds for a record 800 bikes where more than 2,500 riders participated in onbikes signature fundraising event. The City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn rallied the riders for the start of the ride, which was led by the Tampa Police Department’s Bike Unit. Tampa Police also announced an expanded partnership with onbikes to hold a series of bike safety rodeos throughout the city in 2017.

The 7.5-mile winter ride went from Curtis Hixon Park through Downtown Tampa, where the 800 bikes were also on display. The bicycles are being delivered to families over the next two weeks through organizations supporting Tampa Bay area families, including Eckerd Kids, Metropolitan Ministries and the Tampa Police Department.

“Over the years, we have seen how a bicycle can play a vital role in making a child’s life better while promoting a stronger and healthier community,” said Julius Tobin, executive director of onbikes. “We are grateful for our partners in the city, law enforcement, and in the business community who join us in fulfilling our mission to ensure every deserving child can experience the fun of riding a bike.”

One of those partners is UnitedHealthcare, a second year sponsor of onbikes’ initiative. In addition to sponsoring the ride, more than 25 UnitedHealthcare employees grabbed their wrenches and screwdrivers and joined more than 600 other community volunteers on Dec. 4, 2016 as Tampa’s Amalie Arena was turned into Santa’s Bike Shop to assemble the bikes.

“UnitedHealthcare is honored to support onbikes’ mission,” said David Lewis, CEO for UnitedHealthcare Central and North Florida. “From building the bikes to participating in the ride, our team members have experienced first hand the positive impact onbikes has made in the community.”