High Country Caregivers partnered with Friendship Automotive and High Country United Way to deliver bicycles to children raised by kinship caregivers in Watauga County.
The event marked the first time the Bikes for Kids program took place in Boone. Honda of Boone coordinated the local effort. Friendship Automotive funded the program through sales and service proceeds across its dealerships.
High Country United Way helped identify families. High Country Caregivers supported outreach to kinship households, many led by grandparents raising grandchildren. Nearly nine out of ten families served by HCC live below the poverty line.
The giveaway provided 98 bicycles to 57 families. Some families received more than one bike for siblings. Statewide, the program distributed more than 400 bikes during its 13th year.
Families picked up bikes labeled with each child’s name and size. Bocca Bistro donated pizzas for attendees. Children also received stuffed toys from the Friendship Automotive mascot.
The event brought practical support and holiday joy to local kinship families.
Read the full story in the Watauga Democrat: https://www.wataugademocrat.com/community/holiday-giveaway-brings-joy-to-kinship-caregivers/article_3217ac35-31ac-46a3-9013-21b1a9395827.html