Bikes, Brews Fundraiser Brings Smiles To 88 Livermore Students

LIVERMORE, CA — Eighty-eight Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District students got an early holiday present Dec. 6 thanks to the first annual Livermore Valley Craft Brew Foundation Bikes and Brews fundraiser.

Proceeds raised from the October event were used to purchase new bicycles, helmets and locks, that were distributed to the 88 students at 10 different LVJUSD school sites.

LVCBF, the Arsondi Group real estate team from Keller Williams Realty, and Turning Wheels For Kids raised the funds through the sale of tickets to cycling enthusiasts who received lunch and tastings at five local breweries along a 13-mile loop in the City of Livermore.

Local businesses and wineries also contributed to the event with donated gift baskets for a silent auction.

Twenty-four of the bicycles purchased with the funds went to students at East Avenue Middle School. The kids were presented with the bikes at the end of first period on Dec. 6.

“It was great to have the Livermore community show up in such an awesome way to show their support for our students. Throughout the day, I heard repeated expressions of gratitude from the students,” East Avenue Vice Principal Holly Ellison said.

Livermore High School Principal Helen Gladden was especially touched by the heartwarming reaction of one of her students who was “grinning from ear to ear and extremely grateful” after receiving a cycling gift.

LVJUSD Superintendent Kelly Bowers said, “Our district is continually amazed by the generosity of our community. This was the first time we have partnered with these groups, and we are so grateful for their gift to our students. They have truly captured the spirit of giving.”