Children lined up with their parents at Fareway in Clinton on Wednesday to receive their gifts from Variety, The Children’s Charity of Iowa. Bikes, helmets, and locks were given to 35 excited Clinton children. Each child signed a safety pledge saying he or she would ride safely and got to take a certificate home with them.
Emily Toribio, Fareway's Corporate Outreach & Communications coordinator, said funding for the donations came from Fareway's Round Up at the Register event. She said this event happened in October. "Clinton was our highest-producing store," Toribio said.
Toribio said the money at for the roundup came from shopper donations. She said the event wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the generosity of Clinton residents. "We wanted to reward them for their hard work with the roundup so we are giving back to Clinton," said Toribio.
Sherri McMichael, director of Marketing and Public Relations, said this was the first year Variety has held an event in Clinton and she felt it was a success. McMicheal said Variety was able to partner with Clinton's YWCA. The YWCA was able to identify children who would benefit from new bikes.
"We had them identify the kids and then we went through an application process and had them say why they would like to win a bike," McMichael said. McMicheal said Variety then sent out letters to each child.
Last year Variety gave away 1,700 bikes, helmets and locks in the state of Iowa, and the organization continues to donate to children. Click here for more information on Bikes for Kids and Variety Children’s Charity.