10-Year Reflection
Letter from our Executive Director, Diana Ralston
It’s hard to articulate my feelings about Can’d Aid’s growth and impact over the past decade. From our down-to-earth craft beer roots and get ‘er done mentality, we have built a movement of like-hearted people who have helped distribute more than 3 million cans of water, donated more than 22,000 bikes, skateboards, and musical instruments to disadvantaged youth, painted 14 community murals and recycled the equivalent of 28.5 million cans. What started as a hyper-local disaster response in Lyons, CO has evolved into a national nonprofit that has rallied more than 30,000 volunteers to create positive change in ALL 50 states. And while the stats are impressive, for me it’s always been about the people – creating and building community one authentic relationship at a time. As human beings, we are hard wired to connect, and we want to believe that we are part of something larger than ourselves. It’s incredibly humbling and gratifying to realize that, over the past decade, Can’d Aid has become that something larger for so many people. I love being at a Can’d Aid project and witnessing that magical moment of strangers coming together and connecting in meaningful ways, as everyone does their small part to make the world a better place. ‘Fueled by people power’ is so much more than a tagline – it’s the backbone of who we are and how we operate. Certainly, every day hasn’t been a picnic, but the highs and lows and all the beautiful lessons learned over the past ten years have strengthened my belief in humanity and given me hope for the future. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish over the next decade – together!
The Results of Your Investment
Children average seven hours of screen time a day and only 1 in 5 kids receive the daily recommended amount of exercise. Children just aren’t getting outside or moving their bodies enough—and it’s affecting their mental and physical well-being.
This is especially true for kids in families where purchasing a bike is just not in the budget.
That’s why Can’d Aid works with schools around the U.S. to give brand-new bikes to kids who may otherwise never have one. Thanks to volunteers, Can’d Aid has assembled and donated more than 18,600 bikes and skateboards to kids in underserved communities nationwide.
Kids like the ones attending Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tiffany Rhodes works for Community Achieves, which provides support to students within Metro Nashville Public Schools. As the Community Chief Site Manager, one of her primary goals is supporting the health and wellness of students, so when her leadership team told her about Can’d Aid, she jumped at the chance to bring its bike program to Churchwell Elementary.
“Can'd Aid has made a great impact in our school community by helping us to make sure our families and our students know about the importance of staying healthy and staying active.,” Tiffany said. “Seeing the excitement in their child’s eyes made our parents feel really thankful for the opportunity.”
“The people at Can’d Aid are just so wonderful to work with,” Tiffany enthused. “As a school receiving this donation, they made it really easy on us. Basically all I had to do was share the opportunity with our principal, make sure we had a time and a place for the students to receive the bikes, and they handled the rest. So it was an awesome experience.”
Knowing how to ride a bike is a rite of passage, and now, 150 children have the opportunity to learn and the freedom to ride to school or around town. Tiffany also noted that Can’d Aid helps communities plant seeds for the future—and the future is our children.
“I would tell any school if they have the opportunity to partner with Can’d Aid, definitely do it because it's a life-changing experience for your students, for the families, and the teachers and staff at the school."
Volunteer Spotlight
Fueling the Movement to Build Thriving Communities
Seeing a child’s eyes light up when they receive a bike is a magical moment—especially when it’s their very first bike and affording one of their own is out of their family’s reach.
That warm feeling is just one of the many reasons our volunteers choose to get involved with Can’d Aid.
And for some of our volunteers, the reasons go beyond feeling good. It’s personal.
Joette Trihn’s family emigrated from Vietnam and struggled to make ends meet while she was growing up. Joette never had new toys or clothes. She was what she calls an “Angel Tree” kid—a child who received donated gifts during the holidays.
Now an attorney with her own law firm in West Hartford, Connecticut, Joette volunteers with Can’d Aid because she remembers what those Christmas gifts meant to her as a child. She wants kids in her community to know that somebody cares about them.
“I asked a client of mine what she does for a living and she told me about Can'd Aid,” explains Joette of her meeting with Sara Hannafin, Can’d Aid’s Senior Director of Engagement. “I just thought the mission was so amazing. I love being even a small part of a kid's Christmas and giving back the way strangers gave to me when I was little.”
This December will mark Joette’s third holiday bike-build event—her goal is to raise enough money to build over 100 bikes for deserving Hartford-area children. Each year, the number of bikes Joette fundraises for has grown—from 60 bikes in 2021 to 100 bikes in 2022.
“We've decided we want to make this an annual tradition where we give bikes to kids in the local area who wouldn't otherwise have that opportunity,” Joette explains. “I remember when I got my first bike—it was a huge deal because it wasn't something that my family could afford. So to be able to provide that is just amazing.”
Program Highlights
Opt to Swap Is Back
Throughout November, Can’d Aid will be running our semi-annual Opt to Swap campaign, which educates and encourages consumers to pledge to ditch single-use plastic and opt for infinitely recyclable aluminum whenever possible. This campaign is a part of our Recycling + Sustainability program, through which Can’d Aid has diverted nearly 922,000 pounds of waste from landfills and recycled over 46,000 pounds of aluminum (the equivalent of 28.5 million cans!) by launching and strengthening recycling programs nationwide. Staying true to our people-powered mission, we’ve also rallied more than 3,600 volunteers at over 100 sustainability-focused volunteer projects! Much of our success and impact can be attributed to Can’d Aid’s longstanding partnership with Ball Corporation.
New Program Announcement - GoGo
Introducing Can’d Aid’s GOGO (Give One, Get One) program! This holiday season, give the gift that gives back. Put a brand-new cherry red Can’d Aid bike under the tree knowing that you’ve just gotten TWO kids on two wheels. These exclusive 20” BMX style bikes are available year-round, providing Can’d Aid supporters a new and exciting way to get more kids active, off screens, and exploring the outdoors. How does it work? Every GOGO bike kit purchased allows Can’d Aid to donate another bike to a child in need as part of our Treads + Trails program - which donates bikes and helmets, and provides bike education and inspiration to underserved youth nationwide. With the help of thousands of volunteers of like you, Can'd Aid has built and donated over 10,000 bikes across the U.S. to date.
How to Stay Involved
Fundraise for Can’d Aid
Small acts of kindness create big impacts, and fundraising works the same way. Create a custom campaign where every dollar helps us build thriving communities nationwide. Email info@candaid.org to get started today!
Join the GEM Club
Our GEM (gives every month) donors are the backbone of our fundraising program providing stability and fueling program growth.
Save the Date
Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 28th and we need your support! Every contribution towards the campaign, big or small, can make a meaningful impact on Can'd Aid's mission to make a positive difference in communities. Please mark your calendars to make a gift on Tuesday, November 28th!
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