Barnum Financial Group and Foundation for Life donate bicycles to underserved children
The end of the 67th annual Barnum Festival Great Street Parade was only the beginning of Summer fun for 25 underserved children. On board one of the?? floats were 25 bicycles and helmets that were given away at the end of the Parade.
The float was created by Barnum Festival Jumbo Sponsor, Barnum Financial Group (BFG) and Foundation for Life, the non-profit organization founded by BFG Managing Partner Paul Blanco and his wife Mindee Blanco (BFG Agency Director).
The group of children, nominated by Alpha Community Services YMCA, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, and their immediate families were invited to sit in a VIP section at the end of the parade route. When the float stopped, the children were called up to receive their own brand new bike and helmet.
'Bikes give kids a chance to exercise and explore. We think the giveaway ties right into the Barnum Festival's theme of 'Imagine, Inspire and Enjoy',' says?? Blanco. A number of BFG employees volunteered to decorate and walk alongside the float for the parade. DJ Petrucci of DJ Construction generously donated the use of a truck and driver in addition to the Barnum Festival providing a trailer so the Foundation for Life could partake in the parade.
'Bikes for Kids' is an annual program hosted by the Foundation for Life that provides more than 400 children a new bicycle and helmet each year. Since its inception, Barnum Financial Group and Foundation for Life have given away more than 2,500 bikes throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
