For the past 10 years, United Way staff, volunteers, agency partners and community members have come together to kick off summer at Build A Bike. We split into teams, strategize and get to work on building bikes to distribute to children across the region. The freedom that comes with their very own bike not only helps foster healthy habits, but also provides an outlet for physical activity and fun. Since starting this work a decade ago, United Way has provided 2,100 bikes to help students build for success in school and life.

This year’s Build A Bike took place over three days — June 12 to 14, 2024 — in parks across the region. Though nothing beats the look on a child’s face when they get a bike, we have seen many amazing moments at this iconic event throughout the years. Check out these 10 inspiring Build A Bike memories, impact stories and everything in between:

1. Bobbi Watt Geer, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

“Every year it amazes me to see the rows and rows of just-built bikes assembled on the hill. And each year the amount grows. Even without the kids there, you can just picture the glee they’ll feel when they get their brand-new bike. The feeling is unmatched.”

2. Beau VanDyke, Koppers

“I’ll always remember when the Pittsburgh Police were doing motorcycle skills in the parking lot outside Heinz Field on Build A Bike day. After we gave the kids the bikes, they were all outside riding them through the obstacle course. I know the kids had to love that experience.”

3. Damon Bethea, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

“In 2018, a young girl who recently moved to Pittsburgh through the refugee resettlement program was delighted and amazed that her bike included a license plate that had her name pre-printed on it. She just kept expressing how amazing it was and that she never had anything with her name on it before.”

4. Annie O’Neill, Annie O’Neill Photography

“I believe I’ve photographed every Build A Bike for the last 10 years. It’s really exciting because I love biking and I have really great memories as a child. I always got the hand me down bike – my first bike literally didn’t have a seat! I think about these kids getting a beautiful brand-new bike and how happy they’re going to be. And there’s always a team that’s so excited that they’ve accomplished putting a bike together. The great teamwork is overall my favorite thing to see.”

5. Aaron Horsfield, UPMC Health Plan

“That first time you pull a bike out of the box when you’re reading the instructions and trying to grasp how to put it together can be really challenging. You’re working through it and by the time you get it done you have this sense of comradery as a team. You celebrate because you did it (and feel like you did it in record time, potentially beating everyone else) and also because you’re doing it for a really good cause.”

6. William Mitchell, University of Pittsburgh

“I’ve been doing Build A Bike since it started 10 years ago. The best thing about this project has been seeing all the different organizations come together, putting these bikes together and doing it expeditiously, rain or shine. When I think back to when I was a youth, my bike was my everything. It opens up your world.”

7. Dominic Panucci, Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania

“We heard so many stories from our families about how the bike their child was receiving was the first bike their child ever had. For most of our youth, the main transportation to and from our clubhouse was their bicycle. It was also rewarding to see the multiple companies and employees coming together to provide for our youth.”

8. Miles Urban, Highmark Health

“The best part is that you start your day with 200 boxes in front of you and it’s pretty intimidating. But in a few hours and lots of teamwork, you see rows and rows of bikes and all 200 have been put together and are ready to go.”

9. Megan Gilsen, PNC

“Happy 10th United Way Build A Bike! I think my favorite moment over these years has been coming together with members of the community to do something that is going to have an impact on so many kids. I have amazing memories of riding my bike when I was younger. It made me feel so free. To be able to give a child that same freedom makes me so happy.”

10. Wendy Koch, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

“In 2020, I drove a U-Haul truck to a church parking lot in Armstrong County to deliver the bikes to an agency that couldn’t pick them up. I expected to unload the bikes into a storage room or office, but the children who were receiving the bikes were waiting in the parking lot for us to arrive. It was so fun to experience their joy as we opened the back of the U-Haul and started passing out bikes. Their faces all lit up and were trying to get to the front of the line first to get their bikes as fast as possible.”

It’s been an incredible 10 years watching our community come together for Build A Bike. We can’t wait for the next decade.

Watch below to see a special thank you from Wendy!

United Way thanks the corporate partners who made this year’s edition of Build A Bike possible: FirstEnergy Foundation, BMS Cat, Williams, K&L Gates, Ebara Elliott Energy, Koppers, FedEx and Menasha Corporation.