In the local community of Oshkosh, elders, kids, police officers and local retailers joined forces and created powerful social impact in so many aspects – we brought magic to the streets.
The Walgreen’s corporation has an annual fundraiser across the US. Tens of millions of dollars are raised to help fight kids in poverty in America and around the world.
Miravida Living participated, and our Cycling Without Age chapter was at the heart of our participation.
We organized a Red Nose Day parade, where we partnered with both the elementary school as well as the middle school located in our neighbourhood.
We already have a great partnership with the Oshkosh Police Department which supports Cycling Without Age as voluntary trishaw pilots. They take great trishaw rides around Oshkosh, giving the elders the possibility to use their senses and share memorable moments together.
These rides make a world of difference to the elders.
Their day, their week, their lives. They kindly assisted us in holding our own parade. The kids from both schools were out on the terraces cheering our trishaws on. All six of them loaded with elders, piloted by great volunteers, through the streets of Oshkosh. The parade was so full of life, as were the spectators. We had a police escort, a fire truck joined, and the high school band marched and played in the parade around the rickshaws.
A local custard and fast food restaurant came to our campus and provided ice cream to everyone after the parade. We had all our elders outside, enjoying the parade or participating in the parade. The ice cream was served by our band students. You can’t get any better than that!
Our Cycling Without Age program was the catalyst for this to happen! What a great day it was!
Words by: Bonnie Behnke,
VP of Development, Miravida Living