New Hanover County Students Receive New Bikes Thanks to Nonprofit

By Renee Spencer, Wilmington StarNews — January 18, 2026

Read the full story at StarNewsOnline.com.

A nonprofit organization is making dreams come true for New Hanover County students — one bicycle at a time. Bikes for Kids Foundation recently rewarded Title I elementary school students in the area with brand new bikes and helmets as part of its acclaimed Read, Ride and Thrive program.

The program challenges students to complete a curriculum focused on literacy, character development, financial literacy, and healthy living. At the end, all participating students are surprised with their very own bicycle — often for the first time in their lives.

For many families in New Hanover County, a new bike is more than a reward. It's a symbol of what's possible when a child commits to learning and growing. The event was met with excitement, cheers, and plenty of happy tears from students, parents, and teachers alike.

Kids Dreams Matter and Bikes for Kids Foundation continue to expand their impact across North Carolina, bringing the transformative power of the Read, Ride and Thrive program to more schools each year.