The Salvation Army Says Thank You to OG&E and Waste Connections

The Salvation Army Says Thank You to OG&E and Waste Connections

SHAWNEE, OK – Children at The Salvation Army of Shawnee’s Boys and Girls Club will receive bikes this Christmas thanks to a partnership between OG&E and Waste Connections. The bikes will be distributed at the Club Dec. 18 beginning at 4 p.m.

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Shawnee’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”  One of the core values of programming for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America is “healthy lifestyles,” so to be able to offer a bike and a helmet to children for Christmas will promote health and wellness, not screen time or other activities that lead to a more sedentary lifestyle.

Captain Stacey Connelly said “Kids deserve to be kids and truly enjoy Christmas. And what kid doesn’t want a new bike for Christmas? To be outside on two shiny new wheels! Thanks to our friends at OG&E they have provided a brighter ending to a year that has not been kind to many of our kids. These bikes mean many smiles, many hours of fun and many happy children!”

Waste Connections’ bike giveaway, called The Bike Build, began as a dream in 2001.  Last year, they provided 12,277 bikes across North America.  To date, the total bikes built exceeds 65,000.  Keith Gordon, Director of The Bike Build, states “It is an amazing feeling to see the look of appreciation from the charities and the sheer joy when we get to see a child actually get the bike.”   Part of Waste Connections culture is their commitment to their communities and they have a particular passion for helping children in-need and at-risk. The Shawnee Boys and Girls Clubs fits that commitment to a tee.

This is OG&E’s second year to participate in The Bike Build program, though their employees have been volunteering with The Salvation Army for several years. “This program is so important because it helps fulfill the mission of serving children who are less fortunate and feeds hope back into the community,” said Jamie Moore, OG&E Community Relations Coordinator. “A new bike represents so much more than just a toy to a child in need. It represents a piece of hope, a sense of caring by others and the opportunity to be in a community where you belong with other children.”