About The Triangle Spokes Group

The Founders

In 1994, two local businessmen realized the need a lot of families experience at Christmas and asked themselves what they could do to help. Their conclusion was to challenge one another to raise enough money to purchase bicycles. 

Those bikes would be donated to The Salvation Army in Charlotte and distributed to local less fortunate children through the Christmas Bureau.  For many of these children their single wish was a brand new bicycle. 

The first year, 17 bicycles were purchased from the fundraiser and enhanced 17 families’ Christmas.  The businessmen’s efforts increased from a month long project to a year-round project to raise enough money to make as many children as possible happier during the Christmas season.  In 15 years, The Spokes Group had given away 18,602 bikes. At an average of $70 per bike, that represents $1,258,286. For the most part this has been in $10, $20 and $70 donations by a LOT of supportive, loyal, and very generous folks.

Thirteen years later, the need within Charlotte and beyond is still apparent and their challenge is being extended to the Triangle as they welcome a new Spokes Group Chapter!  To learn more about the founders and the original Spoke Group go to www.thespokesgroup.com.

The Triangle Spokes Group Is Born

When Ashley Wilson, sister-in-law of one of Charlotte founders, and Jenn Nowalk first learned in detail about the success stories of The Spokes Group in Charlotte they knew that many children in the Triangle could also benefit from this great cause.  So, after some initial local market research and discussions with the Charlotte founders, the Triangle Spokes Group was officially born. 

The Triangle Spokes Group looks forward to reaching its 3rd year goal of 200 bikes for the 2009 Christmas season.  Ashley and Jenn, along with a founding team of Triangle Spokes Group volunteers, look forward to your support in bringing the dream of a brand new bicycle to Triangle children for many years to come!