Celebrating Community Impact: Scheel’s Giving Campaign Winner’s Breakfast

On December 11th, Scheels had the honor of hosting the Giving Campaign Winner’s Breakfast, where we celebrated the incredible organizations making a meaningful impact in our community. One of the standout moments of this special event was the recognition of Bike Fort Collins, who was awarded a $5,000 grant through the 2024 SCHEELS Giving Campaign. This generous contribution will support the expansion of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program into Timnath, ensuring that more students have access to vital bike safety education.

For years, the Safe Routes to School program has been a crucial initiative aimed at providing safe and sustainable transportation options for students. By teaching bike safety, helping communities build safer biking infrastructure, and promoting healthy habits, SRTS ensures that kids can get to school safely and confidently. With this new funding, Bike Fort Collins will extend these benefits to 200 students in Timnath, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their world on two wheels.

The expansion into Timnath represents a huge step forward for bike safety in the area, helping to reduce traffic congestion around schools and encouraging students to adopt healthier, more sustainable modes of transportation. Through this program, students are not only learning how to ride safely but also gaining a deeper appreciation for biking as a fun and eco-friendly way to move through their communities.

The SCHEELS Giving Campaign is more than just about awarding grants; it’s about coming together to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and passion of organizations like Bike Fort Collins that are committed to improving lives in their communities. The Winner’s Breakfast was an opportunity to connect with fellow grant recipients, share success stories, and forge new relationships with other like-minded individuals who are also dedicated to creating positive change.

We were thrilled to welcome representatives from Bike Fort Collins and other organizations who received grants this year. The morning was filled with inspiring conversations and the chance to network with both community leaders and the SCHEELS team, all while enjoying a light breakfast. There was no need for speeches—just a brief presentation, a group photo, and plenty of time to engage with others who share the same passion for making a difference.

Grant Recipients

1. Friends of the Fort Collins Bicycle Program (Bike Fort Collins) – Expansion of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program into Timnath, providing bike safety education to approximately 200 students.
2. Protect the Game – Provide U.S. Military Veterans with free training, equipment, and certification to become paid youth sports officials, offering employment opportunities and addressing the shortage of qualified officials.
3. Fort Collins Baseball Club – Supporting their Scholarship Program, helping provide financial assistance to over 150 under-resourced youth and their families, ensuring no player is turned away due to financial need.
4. NORCO Volleyball Club – Funding for 4-6 free volleyball clinics, introducing the sport to at least 300 new boys and girls while expanding their low-cost pickleball program.
5. Arsenal Colorado – Fort Collins Soccer Club – Supporting their Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance to low-income families, enabling up to 75 additional children to participate in youth soccer.
6. Success Foundation – Funding after-school intramural athletics for 4th and 5th graders in Greeley-Evans School District 6, aiming to close the participation gap in sports among students from poverty and increase middle and high school sports engagement.
7. Heart-J Center at Sylvan Dale Ranch – Supporting their Big Valley Gathering Place project, a wildfire recovery effort following the recent Alexander Mountain Fire.
8. Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County – Funding sports equipment for enhancing outdoor activities at seven Club locations and expanding sports programs at the new Teen Center.
9. Hero Expeditions – Funding the construction of ADA-compliant hunting blinds to expand outreach and provide outdoor experiences for additional disabled veterans and first responders each year.
10. Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County – Funding the Teen Self-Care Fair, an event designed to teach coping skills to over 600 youth (grades 6-12) and promote conversations around suicide prevention through experiential learning activities.
11. The Matthews House – Supporting The Landing, the first dedicated youth shelter in Northern Colorado, set to open in January 2025 in Loveland.
12. Homeward Alliance – Supporting Homeward Alliance’s employment program, EARN, which assists Larimer County job seekers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, aiming to secure or retain approximately 200 jobs annually.
13. Alpha Center – Funding critical improvements for lobby safety and sonogram training for new nurses, benefiting 750 unique patients and clients.
14. Weld Food Bank – Helping to provide 15,000 nourishing meals through their Mobile Food Pantry program in Johnstown and Milliken.
15. WHALE – Providing at least 50 days of additional full-time childcare for children with delays or disabilities, ensuring no child is turned away due to cost.
16. HopeKids Colorado – Funding program expansion in Northern Colorado for new events specifically designed for families with children facing cancer or life-threatening medical conditions, adding 12 new events throughout the year.
17. Santa Cops of Weld County – Expanding their program to include 500 more children in preschools, ensuring even our youngest community members benefit.
18. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – Funding habitat enhancement projects in Northern Colorado and supporting youth hunting initiatives.
19. Big Thompson Watershed Coalition – Supporting recovery efforts following the Alexander Mountain Fire, promoting regrowth and protecting water quality in the area.
20. Northern Colorado Young Life – Funding the training and development of new leaders for the Wyldlife ministry, targeting middle school students and aiming to impact an estimated 200 additional adolescents through mentorship and community support initiatives.