The idea started at Corporate Visions’ [CVI] Napa Kick-Off in January of 2015, when 40 bicycles were put together by employees, then offered to 40 – 4th graders at Bayside Martin Luther King School in Sausalito on Valentine’s Day, February 14th! To continue offering bicycles to students with the greatest need, San Rafael Elks Lodge 1108 was approached with a proposal to offer 10 bicycles through their partnership with CVI and a private donor, Bob Gordon, an entertainment lawyer from Mill Valley.
Ten bicycles, helmets, and locks are now ready to be awarded to ten 4th graders selected by Bahia Elementary School 4th grade teachers. Bahia Elementary School is located nestled in a residential area in San Rafael, California with many of the students whose family members are bilingual [Spanish and English].
[Photo below of Committee Planning Meeting: Melissa Guerrero -4th grade teacher; Sarah Gaidano- Program Coordinator; Collin Johnson-4th Grade teacher; Charlotte Kobayashi- CVI; San Rafael Elks’ officer -Joe Tato; and Cathy DiSanto-4th grade teacher.]
Students will be selected on the basis of their efforts, their attendance, their attitude, economic need, and a letter or art piece explaining why they deserve to receive a bicycle. Award Assembly has been scheduled for November 23rd when all the donors will be present to observe awarding 10 bicycles to selected students.
[Photo below: At San Rafael Elks Lodge, samples of bicycles — left to right, Joe Tato- San Rafael Elks, Charlotte Kobayashi- CVI employee, and Bob Gordon, entertainment lawyer]
Please anticipate a sequel for the November Awards Assembly at Bahia Elementary School and in April of 2016, the Awards Ceremony at the San Rafael Elks Lodge.
[by Charlotte Kobayashi]
