Friends of Foster Children held its annual Bike Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 8 complete with a full breakfast for the foster families and a visit from Santa.
Due to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus M.J. Benvenuti Council #8419 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington and local celebrity Jim Sackett, 100 brand-new, assembled bikes with helmets were donated for the foster children. During the Bike Giveaway, each bike will be specific to the size and special needs of each child to ensure the perfect fit.
“This opportunity to help our Palm Beach County foster children during the holidays is a perfect time to give the gift of a bike,” said Sackett, a Knights of Columbus member and a board member of the Friends of Foster Children. “Equally important is to give them a chance to learn to ride a bike, which is a right-of-passage every child should experience.”
It’s about creating happy childhood experiences — getting a bike and learning to ride — experiences that every child should have. Knights of Columbus #8419 is all about making dreams come true, helping children in need and giving back to their community. The men of the Knights of Columbus are proud to spearhead this great holiday event and worked tirelessly to purchase and assemble the 100 bikes.
Palm Beach County’s Friends of Foster Children provides ongoing support and services for foster children and the families that care for them from the time children enter foster care.
“We are grateful for all that the Knights of Columbus have done for our foster children,” Executive Director Maria Bond said. “In addition to their most generous gifts, they are creating lasting memories. Please consider donating, volunteering or fostering year-round as the need is increasing with children entering the foster care system at alarming rates.”
The mission of Friends of Foster Children is to enrich the lives of foster children in Palm Beach County by providing services, support and education to overcome the effects of child abuse and neglect. Programs such as Enriching Connections, produces events such as the Bike Giveaway to ensure that foster children have opportunities, build self-confidence and become independent children.
Locally, the Knights of Columbus M.J. Benvenuti Council #8419 at St. Rita has been supporting local charities focusing on children for many years. In 2017, the Knights of Columbus had a record-setting year through charitable work, resulting in an unprecedented $185.6 million in donations and 75.6 million hours of service provided worldwide. Knights of Columbus members are Catholic men of faith and charitable action. To learn more, visit www.kofc8419.org or e-mail Ken Deischer at deischerks@aol.com.
