Volunteers Assemble 250 Bikes for Underserved Youth at SAP Center

SAN JOSE -The Sharks Foundation, Groupware Technology and TurningWheels for Kids announced today that it will donate 250 children's bicycles to 10 Bay Area youth-based non-profits at the inaugural Sharks Foundation Bike Build at SAP Center.
"Each season the Sharks Foundation kicks-off its annual Giving Campaign by dedicating a month toward healthy living initiatives," said Sharks Foundation Director, Heather Hooper. "With childhood obesity continuing to rise at alarming rates in the Bay Area, the Foundation hopes to combat that by providing children with opportunities to live healthy and active lifestyles that are both fun and sustainable."

More than 150 volunteers from the San Jose Sharks, Sharks Foundation and Groupware Technology, as well as Sharks broadcasters Randy Hahn, Jamie Baker and Bret Hedican, worked in teams for nearly four hours in the bowl of SAP Center this morning to put the bikes together with the guidance of TurningWheels for Kids.
"Giving back is one of our core values and we were thrilled to partner with the Sharks Foundation in the TurningWheels for Kids Bike Build," said Mike Thompson, CEO of Groupware Technology. "Our employees found immense satisfaction in a day of community service in assembling new bikes for children to encourage them to adopt good habits of regular exercise and outdoor activity."
Then various non-profits, including West Valley Community Services who will provide 80 bikes to underserved youth through their back to school program, came to SAP Center to pick-up and deliver bikes to children in need.
"The need for bikes, right here in our local community, continues to challenge what TurningWheels For Kids can provide," said Ignacio Vallejo Jr., TurningWheels for Kids Project Manager. "Then the Sharks and Groupware Technology step up once again and answer the call by providing such a huge number of children with their number one wish, to own their own bike. We are so grateful for the partnership with both organizations."
This project is the second healthy living event for the Foundation and Groupware Technology. During the 2016-17 season, the two organizations came together to build a KaBOOM! Playground for differently abled children at Via Services West in Cupertino, CA.