Smoketree Students Get a Big Suprise

Gene Smith, President of Loss Prevention Foundation, presents 100 Smoketree Elementary students with new bikes Friday afternoon. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

A select group of Lake Havasu Smoketree Elementary School students waited in anticipation this morning as the USS and Loss Prevention Foundations opened their hearts and hands to the community through the donation of 100 bicycles. The bikes were  presented individually to exceptional students as merit-based incentives to continue to strive to achieve throughout their education.

Through the Adopt-A-Bike Program, this dynamic duo has reached out to 10 states to date, surprising a multitude of children, while holding the goal to expand the program throughout the nation to all 50 states by the end of the decade. With the children looking on eagerly toward the unveiling of their surprise, LP Foundation President Gene Smith looked into their gleaming eyes, standing with assurance and explanation that through “ hard work in school, great things do happen.”

Coordinated by campus Educational Interventionist Corey Triassi, students awarded were chosen by teachers and school administrators based on their citizenship, grade performance and outstanding behavior. An exceptionally covert operation on the part of the administration and parents, email messages as well as mailed letters were sent to parents of the children awarded, inviting them to attend the event while allowing it to remain a secret.

Bikes are lined up for each of the students in Smoketree gym Friday afternoon.

Packages presented to the children included a new bicycle, protective helmet, backpack and T-shirt, provided by numerous donors whose combined efforts helped make this happen. Helmet use and bicycle safety were stressed by the benefactor(s) who initiated a cumulative promise from the ecstatic children to maintain proper use of their protective gear as responsible young bicyclists.

USS Foundations President Doug McHose explained his “mission to improve kids’ lives,” as the children were invited by grade to find the bike branded as their own. In addition to this contribution, a further 10 bicycles were donated to both Smoketree and Havasupai Elementary Schools as means to encourage children’s school participation and inspire the acts of sharing and cooperation among students.