By Nancy Bangiola
The Morris County Bar Foundation, which is the charitable arm of The Morris County Bar Association, partnered this month with Emerald Financial to purchase and give away bikes to children in Morris County who were in need.
The Morristown Neighborhood House has been a longstanding partner of the Foundation. For many years The Nabe was the beneficiary of a softball tournament among lawyers. The Foundation gave the funds raised from the competition to the Nabe in support of programming and its mission.
This year, when Emerald approached us with this Bikes 4 Kids idea, we naturally turned to the Nabe. The nonprofit identified 141 youngsters, who wrote beautiful letters to us about the impact of a bike on their lives.
All of the children, grades K-5, were selected to receive a bike, helmet and lock. Kent International, a bicycle supplier in Parsippany, agreed to supply the bikes at cost, and also assembled and delivered the bikes at no additional cost to the Morris County Bar Foundation.
Emerald Financial undertook the heavy work of fundraising. Many Trustees of the Morris County Bar Association and Foundation financially sponsored bikes for these children.
And over two dozen of our Association and Foundation Trustees volunteered to unload, set up and then distribute the bikes to the youngsters.
The kids arrived at about 10 o’clock on a Saturday morning. They were registered and then waited patiently and joyfully to receive their bikes. Each child received a bike with his or her name on it that had been measured to fit them.
The children’s helmets also were fitted for them, and they received instructions on safety from Morris Township police officers.
The Morris School District hosted us at The Alfred Vail School, which was within walking distance for many of the children who received their first bike.
Attorney Francesca Blanco donated the bicycle locks, the Morristown Deli donated refreshments for the volunteers, and a DJ played music.
I will never forget the little boy who stood patiently in line with his bike, waiting to have his helmet fitted. He looked up at me and asked, “so, um, can I keep it?” I was so delighted to tell him, yes he could. This was his bike to keep and enjoy. Happy Summer!
Nancy Bangiola, Esq., is executive director of the Morris County Bar Association.
