Strider Sports International Selects UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation as Charitable Partner
Online, June 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Strider Sports International, the world's premier manufacturer and marketer of children's no-pedal balance bikes for toddlers learning to ride, has announced a charitable partnership with the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF). Strider Sports International is donating 500 bikes to UHCCF throughout 2012 to be distributed to children at various UHCCF fundraising events and to raise funds for its child medical grant program. In addition, Strider Sports will donate a percentage of bike sales throughout the year to UHCCF.
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation provides medical grants, up to $5,000, to help families pay for children's health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by a commercial health insurance plan. In 2011, UHCCF awarded more than 1,200 grants to families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy. Eligible families can apply for a grant online at www.uhccf.org.
"We're thrilled to partner with the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation," said Ryan McFarland, chief executive officer of Strider Sports International. "And one thing that we share is our passion for happy and healthy kids. At Strider, we love riding bikes and seeing little kids light up with excitement when they get that first taste of the freedom, confidence, and thirst for adventure that comes from that first successful bike experience."
"We thank Strider Sports for its generous donation of bikes and funding, and for selecting UHCCF as a charitable partner," said Matt Peterson, president of the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation. "Our two organizations share a passion for improving the health of children, and Strider Sports will help us provide additional medical grants to children in need."
As part of this partnership, Strider Sports International and the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation will work together throughout the year at a variety of professional sporting events where Strider will host its world-renown, child-friendly "Adventure Zones." Strider "Adventure Zones" provide an opportunity for children as young as 18 months to ride a Strider bike on different terrains, navigate a number of obstacles, improve bike-handling skills, and socialize with other children. UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation volunteers will work with children at the "Adventure Zones" to help create a fun, safe environment.
About Strider Sports International, Inc.
Strider Sports International, Inc. designs efficient, no-pedal balance bikes that encourage Toddlers to ride, learn, and explore the world on two wheels. Founded in Rapid City, South Dakota in January 2007, Strider Sports is a company full of passionate riders of dirt, mountain, street, and road bikes. The goal of Strider Sports is to simplify a bike to its essence, so that proper size, light weight and ease-of-use combine to eliminate any fear of riding; instilling confidence in young new riders. The patented Strider™ No-Pedal Balance Bike is now distributed in over 35 countries. To learn more and to find Strider No-Pedal Balance Bikes in your area, visit www.StriderBikes.com
About UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity that strives to enhance either the clinical condition or quality of life of children who have health care needs not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan. UHCCF provides medical grants of up to $5,000 for costs associated with medical services and equipment. UHCCF's funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) employees. Donations to help provide assistance are deeply appreciated. To apply, donate or learn more, please visit www.uhccf.org.