SPRI Participants Build and Donate 25 Bicycles to Local Youth

SPRI members took part in bike building activities organized through Wish for Wheels during annual conference this January.

At SPRI’s 42nd Annual Conference & Business Meeting in Clearwater, Florida, (Jan 12-14), members of the trade association, which represents the manufacturers of single-ply roofing systems and related component materials, spent time giving back to the community by assembling and donating 25 bicycles for second grade students in the area.

The bike building activities, which were organized through the Wish for Wheels® organization and sponsored by SPRI corporate member Johns Manville, included two competitions among the 38 SPRI member participants. The first was a ‘Team Competition’ where the bike builders were blindfolded and had to follow direction from a non-blindfolded team member to assemble the bikes. Next came the ‘Speed Competition,’ where teams of two bike builders each had one of their arms tied to the other builder and the tied arms could not be used during the assembly. After the competition was over, the Wish for Wheels team conducted detailed bike safety inspections. Once approved, the bikes were donated to second graders through the local Boys & Girls Club.

“We spent a wonderful day with Wish for Wheels building and giving bikes to 2nd graders in the Clearwater, Florida community,” said Scott Carpenter, president of SPRI. “The instructors from Wish for Wheels did an excellent job facilitating the events, and it was an excellent team-building activity for our members. We’d also like to thank Johns Manville for sponsoring this great event that gives back to the community.”

Founded in 2004, Wish for Wheels has a mission to give every child in need their very own bicycle and helmet. The organization partners with corporations to assemble and donate new bicycles and helmets to underserved communities. 

About SPRI

SPRI is the leading authority on single-ply roofing, dealing exclusively with thermoset, thermoplastic and modified bitumen roofing systems and materials. Through an open forum for discussion, education and innovation, our dedicated commercial roofing industry experts provide ongoing resources and expertise to contractors, architects, and building owners. For additional information, please visit www.SPRI.org, send email to info@spri.org, or call 781.647.7026.