TurningWheels for Kids

TurningWheels For Kids (TWFK) is a non-profit charitable organization that is run entirely by volunteers. TWFK raises funds year-round to purchase new bicycles, helmets and locks for underprivileged and health-challenged children. TWFK provides fully assembled bikes, helmets and locks to underprivileged children during the holidays and to health-challenged children year-round. TWFK also provides free bike repair clinics to communities throughout the year. The program was founded in 2005 by Susan Runsvold.
History
In December 2003, Susan Runsvold, a nurse at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California made a decision to enlist the help of her friends and colleagues in order to collect money and purchase bikes for underprivileged children during the holiday season. That year, 12 bikes were purchased and provided to the San Jose Fire Department for their annual toy drive. The following year, starting a bit earlier, enough money was collected to provide 40 bikes to the San Jose Fire Department. At the end of that season, a handful of people who had learned about and/or participated in this project, asked to be included the following year. As Susan thought over the possibilities. She believed the potential was far greater, and more children could be served, with a larger group of people working together. In 2005, 10 very committed people agreed to join her in the effort. After a conversation with the Valley Medical Center (VMC) Foundation Director, Chris Wilder, it was determined that this endeavor fit perfectly with the mission of the VMC Foundation. There was a strong belief that TWFK served the same children that the foundation served and that it would be advantageous for the effort to fall under the auspices of the VMC Foundation. This was when TWFK was born.
In June 2005, with this group of 10 individuals, an even more committed effort began. A needs survey was conducted that indicated that there was a much bigger need in the community than our 6 months of work would be able to provide. Still, believing in the cause, and knowing the value of a bike to each child, we set a lofty goal of 400 bikes ~ 10 times the previous years' effort. That was a fun, exciting and interesting year. Donations began to roll in, which ranged from $1, to what we considered a very large donation of $100! In 2005, 452 bikes were purchased, 452 helmets were donated by Valley Health Plan and 452 children received a gift of great love through the efforts of 10 very committed individuals and many volunteers. In 2005, agencies that received bikes included: the San Jose Fire Department, Kidango, Bay Area Rescue Mission and San Jose Family Alternative Housing, which managed the distribution of the bikes.
In 2006, momentum began to take hold and donations became larger. Corporations such as eBay, Heritage Bank and Wells Fargo made significant donations (as much as $5,000). JetBlue, Raleigh Bikes, Park Tools, Fox Racing Shox, Team San Jose, Togos, Starbucks and Smythe European all pitched to help with various needs. The San Francisco 49ers contacted us to inquire about helping with this community project. The 49ers, along with Morgan Stanley's Bike Team and Specialized Bikes, funded and built 49 bikes for 49 kids that were distributed that same night at San Jose's Christmas in the Park. In 2006, the TWFK annual Bike Build was held and 400 community volunteers gave up a Saturday right before Christmas to help TWFK build 1,030 bikes. That day various children's charities, Sacred Heart, Kidango, CityTeam Ministries, Eastfield Ming Quong, San Jose Fire Department, Santa Clara Fire Department, Bay Area Rescue Mission, San Jose Family Alternative Housing, Silicon Valley Child Advocates and Pioneer High School all came to get their bikes. And once again, the mission was accomplished. A total of 1,030 children experienced the delight of a sparkly new bike!
Each of the people involved in this activity are high energy, goal-driven community members. Our board consists of 3 registered nurses at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), a Director of Security at SCVMC, 3 business owners, 3 corporate employees, and a full-time mom (the busiest of us all!). Each member is completely committed to the program as evidenced by their tireless contributions of services and time. For example, Jeff Burnham, owner of Chaselitho and Printing, prints and donates all paper goods needed at great cost to him. Derek Lemberger, webmaster, manages and donates all the time required to maintain the TWFK website. Every member provides money and time to manage the various costs and activities associated with this project so that 100% of the money donated can be used to purchase bikes, helmets and locks for children.
Partners
DPR Construction
San Francisco 49ers
The San Jose Stealth
EBay
Specialized Bicycles
Wells Fargo
NVIDIA
Fox Racing Shox
Cisco Systems
Agilent Technologies
The Boy Scouts of America
The Kiwanis Club
Almaden Cycling Touring Club
Morgan Stanley
Smythe European
The Santa Clara Fire Department
Sharkie from the San Jose Sharks

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