MONSANTO GRANT AWARDED TO FHC
Funds will help kids learn to ride a bike

Faith, Hope & Charity is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Monsanto Fund to be used for a new bicycle-riding program. “Lose the Training Wheels” is a program whereby children with disabilities learn how to ride a bike without training wheels within a week at a Rainbow Trainers clinic. Faith, Hope& Charity will host the clinic next summer in Storm Lake and children in FHCs’ residential program and community service program will have an opportunity to participate. The program is based on the use of a series of adapted bikes beginning with a double roller bike. After a fairly brief familiarization ride, clinic instructors encourage the children to transition onto an adapted bike fitted with a single roller in the rear. After the children master those two bikes, they introduce more subtle changes with a goal of the child riding a two-wheeled bike.

Faith, Hope & Charity is very grateful for the grant from Monsanto because the tax-supported reimbursement structure for their Community Services programs only provides enough funds for direct childcare costs and very little else. This means Faith, Hope & Charity relies on donations for clinics such as this. “Riding a bicycle is something many of us take for granted. It’s an easy activity for most, but for children with special needs, it can be a challenge. That’s why we are very excited to offer this program and open the door for children with special needs to master bicycle riding” commented Mary Ludwig, Development Director. Clinic instructors say the benefits of riding a two-wheeled bike include an infectious smile, peer inclusion, building of self-esteem, family lifestyle enhancement, increased activity and mobility, increased cognitive stimulation, and better physical fitness.

The week-long clinic will be held July 31st through August 4st in Storm Lake. For more information contact Bev Miller or Mary Ludwig at 712-732-5127.