United Way of the Ozarks and Cummins partner to supply bicycles to needy, deserving kids

Thirty future cyclists were surprised with the gift of a new bike, thanks to employees at Cummins Sales and Service, a local power system manufacturer. The bikes were distributed May 10 at the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield.

“We celebrate Cummins and its work to provide bikes to 30 children in our community who might otherwise never receive one,” said Greg Burris, president and CEO of United Way of the Ozarks. “We also thank Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield for getting these new bikes into the children’s hands. United Way is proud to have played the role of ‘connector’ to both ensure these new bikes get to the kids who need them and to weave our community’s social fabric just a little tighter.”

Cummins Inc. donated bikes across the nation, with local teams assembling them for neighborhood distribution.

“Cummins wants to make every community we are in better,” said Max Wheeler, general manager at Cummins Sales and Service. “We had the opportunity to partner with United Way of the Ozarks to supply bikes to children in our community. Through grants from Cummins and help from the employees of the Cummins distributors in Springfield and Joplin, our organizations were able to deliver 30 bicycles to the Boys and Girls Club for distribution to local children. It’s my hope that these bikes will be something that these children will enjoy.”

Partnership champions children

“It is wonderful when community partners take the time to think of others and bring joy to them,” said Jeff Long, director of safety and Compliance at Boys and Girls Club. “Thanks to Cummins and the United Way, 30 deserving children will now have a new, safe bike to enjoy this summer.”

Community investment strategy

United Way’s community investment strategy concentrates support that champions children, ensuring they:

• Have access to food, shelter and healthcare.
• Are ready for school.
• Have an opportunity to achieve their full potential.  

With the help of volunteers, advocates and donors, we champion the solutions we know change young lives for the better. And promote the kind of development that resonates for generations to come.  

We all have a stake in the success of our community’s children. They are our future.