Holmes Murphy, Variety team up to donate bikes in Cedar Rapids area

CEDAR RAPIDS - Holmes Murphy and Variety-The Children's Charity teamed up Thursday to donate 25 bicycles to children in need.

The bicycles, built by Holmes Murphy employees, were distributed to underprivileged children in the Cedar Rapids area through Waypoint and Witwer Children's Therapy.

'At Variety, we cherish childhood memories of bike riding and are excited for these kids to make their own memories,” JJ Trotta, Eastern Iowa director for Variety, said in a news release. 'Every child deserves the amazing experience that comes with riding a bike.”

He thanked Holmes Murphy for their partnership.

Employees at West Des Moines-based Holmes Murphy, a risk management and insurance brokerage, came together earlier this week to build the standard bikes by hand, sharing the bikes with the children throughout the day on Thursday.

'The team at Holmes Murphy is honored to have been able to bring joy to children through this contribution,” Kari Cooling, Holmes Murphy vice president and market leader, said in the release.

The donation came as part of Holmes Murphy's United Way campaign that began on Oct. 9. The company has offices in Cedar Rapids at the CRST Building, 201 First St. SE, Suite 700, and at 4000 River Ridge Dr. NE.