Teaming up with the New England Patriots to build bikes for foster kids

UHC, Patriots build-a-bike event

There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting your very first bike — the wobble of the first few pedals, with a tight grip on the handlebars, and the pure thrill that accompanies that initial ride.

That is exactly the kind of magic more than 70 kids in foster care experienced at Gillette Stadium, where UnitedHealthcare volunteers and the New England Patriots, led by tight end Hunter Henry, teamed up to deliver an unforgettable surprise.

UnitedHealthcare volunteers built and distributed the new bikes — complete with a helmet, bike pump and lock — for children with the nonprofit Communities for People, whose mission is to support children and families in the foster care system.

“We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful event because every child deserves access to a bicycle,” said Tim Archer, CEO at UnitedHealthcare of New England. “It's not only about gifting bikes but about giving children a sense of freedom and joy. We hope this experience will be memorable for them."

Communities for People provides a wide range of supportive programs and services for foster care families, plus assistance in developing independent living skills for those aging out of foster care. 

“Thanks to the generous support from UnitedHealthcare, some of the simple pleasures of childhood — like riding a bike — are now possible for the youth we serve,” said Craig Gordon, president and CEO at Communities for People. “Their generosity has truly given our kids wheels for the journey.”

As the kids zipped around the stadium — some grinning ear-to-ear, others still figuring out the brakes – it was clear the experience was about more than just a bike.

“It means a lot because it gives him some sort of freedom and he can play with his friends,” Tania Jimenez, a foster mom, said. These bikes are a means of transportation, as well. Many of the families at the event said they wouldn’t have been able to afford a bike like this for their foster child — and the impact is not lost on them.

“It’s a huge opportunity to be able to give her something that we couldn’t actually give to her,” Doreen Hughes, another foster mom, said.

The chance to meet NFL star Hunter Henry was an added bonus — plus he brought along a few friends, including Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and running back Antonio Gibson.

“You talk about making an impact on them, but they make more of an impact on me,” Hunter said. “To do an event like this, to get bikes out to these kids and put a smile on their face is a big deal.”

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