JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Designated military families from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, including the Fort McNair portion of the joint base, were given the opportunity to take home a shiny, new bicycle May 2 courtesy of JBM-HH's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS), United Service Organizations (USO) and a District of Columbia law firm.
The bike giveaway was one more salute to kids in support of the Month of the Military Child, which is recognized throughout April.
Kids and families from six major joint base units stopped at the Fort Myer Community Center, where the ballroom was converted into bike-giveaway central. Fifty bikes were wheeled out of the center by grateful boys, girls and families.
The process of assembly and delivery of the cycles fell into the laps of JBM-HH Soldiers and civilian volunteers.
"The bikes were put together at the...law firm's downtown office. They were assembled by BOSS Soldiers and civilian personnel who volunteered from the law firm," said JBM-HH Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavender.
The newly-assembled cycles were then trucked to JBM-HH and divided up between JBM-HH units. The only stipulation was that those receiving a bike must be from a family of the rank of sergeant or below. Unit leaders picked the most deserving families and along with the new wheels, each child received a safety helmet and a note thanking the family for their service to the country.
"This is awesome for our community to come together to say thank you," Lavender added after a three-year-old proudly walked out with a new bicycle. "The backbone of our military is family."
Lavender also mentioned the giveaway was so popular that there is a waiting list of kids wanting bicycles.
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