Subway Kids & Sports helps kids of the Southwest’s shelters cycle into the New Year.
by Rachel Southard –
A Phoenix firefighter assists a young bicyclist with his helmet. |
All the children staying in the Southwest Divison’s Kaiser Family Homeless Shelter and Elim House Domestic Violence Shelter received a special surprise during their stay this holiday season. Mark Roden, Phoenix Advisory Board member and owner of more than 50 Subway sandwich shops, presented the 57 children of these two shelters with new bikes, locks and helmets through the “Cycle for Success” program.
Though the excitement of the children was very evident upon the “unveiling” of the bicycles, the City of Phoenix Fire Department was also on hand to fit the helmets and talk about bicycle safety prior to them zooming around the campus.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children is priceless,” said Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Don Mowery. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work so closely with Mark and Subway Kids & Sports in providing these children with such a wonderful gift.”
The Cycle for Success program is a collaboration between The Salvation Army and Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona (philanthropic board of Subway sandwich shop owners) to honor kids who may not excel academically, athletically, or socially, but those who have done something special and/or have overcome a hardship for which they deserve recognition. The program began in January 2003, and is held on a monthly basis during the school year.