Volunteers will assemble 600 bikes for kids during annual Build A Bike

Who: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania staff and volunteers representing more than 30 companies; Wendy Koch, senior director of engagement, United Way.  

What: Over the course of three days, United Way volunteers will assemble 600 bikes for kids during this year’s Build A Bike. Each day at a different community park, teams of volunteers will work to assemble ten bikes per team. Bikes will then be distributed by United Way to partner agencies serving young people in Allegheny, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. Every bike is inspected by a bike safety expert and comes with a helmet and a lock. This year’s Build A Bike is made possible with support from FirstEnergy Foundation. 

Where: June 17: Cranberry Township Community Park, Jaycees Shelter; 111 Ernie Mashuda Dr., Cranberry Township, PA 16066.  

June 18: Mammoth Park, Pavilion 13; 171 County Park Rd., Mount Pleasant, PA 15666. 

June 19: Highland Park, Rhododendron Shelter; Lake Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. 

 When: Media are invited to attend on Wednesday to Friday, June 17 to 19, between 10 and 11 a.m. 

 Why: Recognizing that everyone deserves to have a positive start toward adulthood and opportunities to fulfill their potential, United Way funds partner agencies that meet basic needs, and organizations that prioritize the wellbeing and development of young people. In fiscal year 2024-2025, United Way invested $1.95 million in 43 agencies working to level the playing field for students from pre-K to high school and beyond.

With this year’s Build a Bike, United Way will have distributed 3,300 bikes to kids since 2014. Volunteers work in teams to ensure that 600 children in our region get their own bikes, helmets and locks. Bikes are a great way to encourage outdoor play, independence, physical activity and bonding experiences with guardians.