The Verde Valley Bikes for Kids recently awarded 12 bikes to Cottonwood and West Sedona Elementary School students who exceeded standards in grades, attendance, comportment and citizenship.

Brandon Stinebaker, Jose Soto, Faith Valentine, Johnny Cortez, Aylin Ramirez and Manuel Lievanos receive their new bikes from the Verde Valley Bicycle Company just prior to Cottonwood Elementary School's Bike Rodeo on April 6th. These students received their bikes just in time to join in the Mayor's Ride to School that morning.

Aylin Ramirez showing off her newly awarded bike while VVCC President Marty Glinsky (L) and VVBC's Randy Young (R) look on

Meanwhile, the May 4th combined West Sedona/Big Park Bike Rodeo became a casualty of the #Red4Ed Teacher's strike, but that didn't stop the Verde Valley Bikes for Kids program from awarding six bikes to students just as soon as classes resumed.

Rotary Teacher of the Year and VVCC member Kaitlyn Propp and West Sedona Principal Scott Keller with four of the Verde Valley Bikes for Kids Program bike recipients from West Sedona Elementary School

Each student also received a new helmet and lock with their bike along with free bike repairs for life with their bike as we want to keep them riding. The Verde Valley Bike Company provided the distributed bikes, helmets and locks at cost plus assembled the bikes for free.