OPERATION KIDS RIDE presented by FRS Healthy Energy
Through OPERATION KIDS RIDE, THe US Military Cycling Team will provide age-appropriate wheeled vehicles (tricycles, “pusher” bike, and bicycles) as well as helmets to children affected by a parent’s deployment. Younger recipients will be chosen from drawings on selected installations. Older recipients will be chosen via an essay contest, elaborating on the theme “Where I want my bike to take me.” Tricycles and bicycles will be distributed throughout the holiday season, spring and summer as funding allows.
Background
OPERATION KIDS RIDE was created to provide some recognition and thanks to the children of US military personnel deployed around the world. While servicemembers certainly face hardship during operations abroad, the military families left at home also bear a heavy burden. For spouses and grown family members, the stress of having a loved one gone and in harm’s way is significant. For children, the sadness and heartache can be overwhelming as they are unable to understand the need and the rationale for mom or dad to be away, often for months or over a year. A year-long deployment seems an eternity in the life a young child. We seek to help ease the hardship of a parent’s deployment and promote healthy active lifestyles for military children by sharing our love of cycling.
Planning for OPERATION KIDS RIDE began last year after one of the Team riders was on a training ride along the back fence of Ft Carson Colorado, home of the 4th Infantry Division. The makeshift banners with words like “HURRY HOME DADDY”, ”WE MISS YOU”, and “WELCOME HOME MOMMY” moved our rider to tears and motivated him to bring the cause of military children to the Team as a way for us to give back. The effect on children during a deployment has been experienced personally in our own homes.
2012 Campaign
For 2012, we have selected Ft Carson Colorado and the 4th Infantry Division as the recipient unit for our holiday campaign. We are excited to be joining forces with Kids on Bikes as our Colorado teammate. Kids on bikes distributes free bicycles to children in the Pikes Peak region through need based and achievement programs. www.kidsonbikes.net
This year, OPERATION KIDS RIDE will be presented by FRS Healthy Energy. A major sponsor of military cycling, FRS is donating a generous amount to initiate the program. Additionally, this holiday season, FRS will donate 20% of all sales generated through the special 25% off promotion code “militarykids.”
Through the joy of a new bike and a start toward a healthy active lifestyle, our aim through OPERATION KIDS RIDE is to have a positive impact on the lives of some of our bravest troops; those who never volunteered, but do a great service to their country every day – military kids.
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