New Bikes, Big Smiles
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Kids Get New Bikes - coyotehill.org
On Tuesday, nine of our newer children in our Harrisburg, MO Community were able to get brand new bikes and helmets thanks to Walker-Winter Insurance.

Today’s blog post comes from Development and Marketing Manager Megan Gillispie.

When you’re a child, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of riding your bike up and down your road. I have very vivid memories of doing so myself. A nice sunny day, wind in your hair, it’s a care-free feeling that embodies what it means to be a kid. 

On Tuesday, nine of our newer children were able to get brand new bikes and helmets thanks to Walker-Winter Insurance.

The weather has been beautiful, so it was important to make this happen quickly. Our families cannot leave the property right now due to safety measures to combat the virus. I worked with CEO Larry McDaniel and Chief Development Officer Kari Hopkins to make this happen quickly. 

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Kids Get New Bikes - coyotehill.org
We were able to fit all nine bikes in one truck. Several Walmart employees helped us get the bikes to customer service, check out, and get them out to the truck.

Early Tuesday morning, I went to Walmart and video chatted with the kids, so they could see the different bikes and choose which one they wanted. My heart melted when one 8-year-old boy exclaimed “I’m getting a bike today?!” It wasn’t a traditional way to pick out a new bike, but it was still special for them to choose what colors and styles they liked. 

To maintain social distancing, my husband, Tanner, and I set the bikes out on each home’s sidewalk and stood back as they came running toward their new bikes. 

Like many of our office staff, I have been working remotely, and I’ve not seen our families in a while. Even though I don’t always work directly with the kids, I still love them and care for them a ton. It was so nice to be able to wave and see their smiling faces. I’m glad they can enjoy this amazing weather with new bikes. 

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Kids Get New Bikes - coyotehill.org
Giving an “air hug” to one of our kiddos after delivering her new bike.

We try to ensure every child who comes to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has a bike to call their own. Should the child leave Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, the bike goes with them. It’s theirs to keep, forever.

Walker-Winter Insurance is able to provide bikes to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries kids through new referrals.

“Thank you all for your referrals so we can continue to give kids the gift of a new bike,” Caleb Walker said. “For many of the kids it is their first bike and it is one they get to keep!”

Thank you again, Walker-Winter Insurance for making this happen!

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Kids Get New Bikes - coyotehill.org
A boy tests out his new bike. No time to take the tags off, he just wanted to ride!
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Kids Get New Bikes - coyotehill.org
Tanner Gillispie unloads four of the new bikes at the Petersheim Home.
Related Stories View All

Connect With Us

Connect With Us