Con-way Freight’s tractor trailers donned the role of Santa’s Sleigh over Christmas weekend to surprise children with a delivery of 1,300 new bicycles as gifts. Elves and More and volunteers fitted bikes to each child, while also gifting safety helmets. Tricycles were given to younger children and gift boxes for infants.
Elves and More Founder Tim House said, “Everyone remembers their first bike. For me personally, it represented freedom and opportunity,” He added, “When we started Elves and More, we wanted to give local, underprivileged kids the joy of owning a bike, and to bring neighborhoods together to support those children as they grow up.”
Con-way Freight became involved through House’s childhood friend, Joe Caliri, a long-time Con-way Freight employee in Akron. “My buddy, Joe Caliri is a truck driver. He and I grew up poor in the Akron neighborhoods we deliver to now. When I started this project eight years ago, he and Con-way Freight immediately stepped up and helped make it possible.”
Con-way Freight donates its trucking services to deliver bikes in time for Christmas. Local employees volunteer for the annual ‘bike build’ event the weekend before wherein hundreds of volunteers come together to assemble the bikes. “It is one of our busiest times of the year, but Elves and More is a cause that we all feel is well worth the extra time and effort,” said Con-way Freight’s Caliri, who’s worked with House on Elves and More since its inception. “I still remember my first bike and how it gave me the ability to start my own paper route as a kid. I learned the value of hard work and determination, which allowed me to make a better life for myself and my family.”
“Con-way Freight is proud to support Elves and More both in the volunteer time our employees give and the pro-bono services we provide to transport the bikes,” said Tom Clark, the company’s senior vice president of operations. “My family and I were personally thrilled to participate again in the bike delivery day. It reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas, and the importance of giving back to our communities and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.”
