Imagine the excitement of being a fifth grader, weeks away from summer vacation and then learning from your principal you’ve been gifted a new bicycle. That was the case for 70 fifth graders at Godsman Elementary School in Denver on May 6, when UnitedHealthcare of Colorado and special guest, pro football star Ja’Wuan James, presented the entire class with new bicycles.
Following meeting a famous football star and being fitted for their new bikes, the kids could be seen riding around the playground, smiling from ear-to-ear.
For these students, some of whom have never owned a bicycle, this was the first time they had ever had the chance to ride.
One little boy appeared to be in disbelief as he was handed his brand new helmet.
“This is an amazing day,” he said.
“As a healthcare company, UnitedHealthcare’s mission is to help people live healthier lives,” said Marc Neely, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. “Overcoming obstacles that can prevent children from building healthy habits as youth is a major focus of that effort.”
With this donation UnitedHealthcare of Colorado hopes to encourage kids to put down their electronic devices and play outside.
Rachel Sandoval, a fifth-grade teacher at Godsman, shared the following in a thank you note to the company: “When I was leaving work the day of the donation, I saw several children riding through the neighborhood on their new bikes. We had even more ride their bikes to school the next morning. Your donation has already profoundly impacted our students in a positive way.”