Wheels For Kids
Wheels For Kids (WFK) was founded by Dick Swain, a Vistoso Cycling Club member, in 2007. His vision for WFK was “To put a smile on the face of kids who didn’t think they would ever get to experience the joy of riding their own bike.” That vision continues to guide all we do. The organization has expanded to give bikes not only to kids, but to teens and adults. We work with over 25 non-profits in Tucson who receive the bikes and distribute them to their clients.
WFK is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that collects used bikes, completely overhauls them, ensures they work well, look good and are safe to operate. The finished bikes are then donated to partner charitable organizations who distribute them to deserving kids, teens and adults in greater Tucson. Safety is our highest priority so we also provide helmets and locks with the bikes. From a modest beginning of 10 kindred spirits, it has grown to about 35 volunteers today. Most of those volunteers are members of the Vistoso Cycling Club.
Wheels for Kids is supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, most of whom are Vistoso Cycling Club members, who contribute in a variety of ways. Those jobs range from picking up donated bikes, ordering and stocking parts to be used fixing bikes, refurbishing the bikes, quality control review of bikes, communicating with partner organizations, delivering bikes to partner organizations and more.
Our partner organizations include Interfaith Community Services, Living Streets Alliance, Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center, More Than a Bed, Casa de Los Ninos, El Grupo, Aviva Family Services, International Rescue Committee, Pascua Yaqui Charitable Organization, Literacy Connects and more.
If you’d like to learn more about Wheels for Kids and/or join the best volunteer opportunity in town, please contact Lisa Terfehr (612-867-0516) and find out how your time and talents can contribute to the magic Wheels for Kids create! If you would like to support Wheels for Kids with a donated bike or a cash donation, please visit our website www.azwfk.org.
News article – Lisa Terfehr, community outreach coordinator for Wheels for Kids
News article – Fisher shares the art of bicycle maintenance
