Charitable event held in conjunction with Greenville Hospital System
USA Cycling Professional Championships

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Medalist Sports partnered with Greenville Hospital System (GHS), Safe Kids Upstate, the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department and City Youth Commission to surprise 127 local youth with bicycles and helmets as part of the Bicycle and Helmet Giveaway Program. 

Medalist Sports gave away the bikes in commemoration of the GHS USA Cycling Professional Championships’ final year in Greenville and Greenville Hospital System’s 100-year anniversary.

“The Greenville community has been a great host to the USA Cycling Professional Championships, and Greenville Hospital System has been a tremendous partner and sponsor,” said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of Medalist Sports. “Providing these bikes was our way of expressing our appreciation."

The City Youth Commission selected boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 14 years old who were involved in an after-school program at four City community centers to be recipients of the bicycles and helmets. The children were asked to write an essay or create a drawing describing why they want a bike, and were under the impression that only two children would be awarded a bike based on his/her drawing or essay at the giveaway event. 

“The bicycle project was a meaningful way for the Youth Commission to directly impact the youth in the city of Greenville,” said Laura Woodside, member of the City’s Youth Commission. “ We were proud that each child received a bike and helmet and were provided training on how to safely ride the bikes in their community. The children were very surprised, and it was fun to see the smiles on their faces.”

Prior to receiving their bikes, the children received safety training from Safe Kids Upstate, an organization committed to preventing accidental childhood injuries. Safe Kids Upstate also provided all of the helmets.

The Walmart store on Woodruff Road ordered and assembled all 127 bikes prior to distribution.

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