June 22, 2006

TurningWheels and Well Fargo join to
provide bikes for underprivileged children

This year’s goal: 1,000 bikes!

Children took double-takes as they saw the long, brightly-colored Wells Fargo bus pull into the Toys R Us parking lot on Blossom Hill Road last Saturday. The bus carried Wells Fargo employees delivering a check to a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to provide bikes for kids who can’t afford them.

There was plenty of opportunities for fun for all ages on Saturday as volunteers built bikes, held a bike raffle, kids were given a opportunity to play on computers on the Wells Fargo bus, and to hang out with Toys R Us mascot Jeffrey.

TurningWheels For Kids is the brainchild of Almaden Valley resident and Valley Medical Center nurse Susan Runsvold, who three years ago decided to fulfill her vision of buying and building bikes so that underprivileged children would have a brand-new, shiny bike under their Christmas tree. Her original donation of 12 bikes to the San Jose Fire Department in 2003 grew to 40 bikes in 2004. She decided to ask a group of friends to help out and in July of 2005 the non-profit organization TurningWheels For Kids was born.

One of her most enthusiastic volunteers is her grandson DJ Busch. He worked so hard alongside his grandmother that she put him on the board of directors, alongside other Almaden residents like Jeff Burnham. “Who better to know what kids like than a kid himself?” she laughs.

“Last year we supported the community of underprivileged children with 452 bikes and this year the goal is 1,000,” said Runsvold. “In addition, we have expanded our goal to provide bikes to children fighting childhood obesity. A bike is the number one requested gift item by this cohort of children.”

Wells Fargo Bank donated a check for $5,000 to the organization on Saturday, the single largest donation to date.

“We’re built on $20 donations. When I get a $100 donation I do hand flips!” said Runsvold. “So Wells Fargo’s donation was very much appreciated.”

The group chose a location near Almaden because half of the board members on TWFK are Almaden residents. “Almaden has been very generous in this program and this is grassroots at it's finest,” said Runsvold.

There was plenty of opportunities for fun for all ages on Saturday as volunteers built bikes, held a bike raffle, kids were given a opportunity to play on computers on the Wells Fargo bus, and to hang out with Toys R Us mascot Jeffrey.

“It was a great success,” said a pleased Runsvold.

For more information on the organization or to donate visit www.turningwheelsforkids.org.