2009 Applicants
Climate Cycle
NikeRetail Location: 8510 South Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL
Website: http://climatecycle.com
Kids Involved: 500
Our Mission
Climate Cycle raises money to install solar panels in Chicago public schools. Through these solar installations, Climate Cycle empowers students to become leaders in the emerging green economy while saving schools money and reducing carbon emissions. With Chicago Public Schools spending $25 million more annually on utilities than textbooks, the time to help our schools and the environment is now.
Climate Cycle's fundraising rides are a cornerstone of what makes our Solar Schools program possible. At its inaugural 2009 bike-a-thon 300 riders raised over $66,000, which was used to provide six schools with solar paneling. Equally as important, our efforts bring together schools, communities, corporations, and philanthropic foundations to empower our children to become leaders of the clean energy movement.
"I urge you all to participate in and support Climate Cycle's programs which will directly benefit our children…" - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
The numbers I mentioned in our mission statement are all fine examples of "making a difference" but they aren't the example that inspires me.
After our inaugural ride, an intercity schoolteacher (who organized a group of twenty-seven 2nd to 4th grade riders) sent us a thank you letter. In her letter she told stories illustrating how empowered and important her students felt because they participated in the ride and made a contribution to our community.
I've done enough work with children from poor communities to know that they do not often get positive opportunities to be proud of and empowered by their personal contributions.
We have the opportunity to touch the lives of low-income children and make them truly believe they can change the world. I can't think of anything better than being part of a group that perpetuates idealism and pride to a group of 2nd to 4th graders who don't get many positive, life enriching opportunities. How can we make a bigger difference than that?
Climate Cycle wishes to offer Nike discretion in how its investment will impact the community.
In the first option, Nike's investment dollars will be directed to toward solar installations at a Chicago area school. In this scenario, Climate Cycle will be able to report the exact number of solar panels installed at which school(s), and the number of students who will benefit from Nike's generosity.
An alternate scenario involves Nike making its investment through Nike gift cards. Climate Cycle will use these cards as fundraising rewards at its second annual bike-a-thon fundraiser, to be held in spring of 2010. Climate Cycle will be able to report how much money was raised via the incentive of Nike's gift cards investment
College,
School-based,
Mentoring,
Co-Ed,
Action Sports,
Elementary School,
Other,
High School,
Community-based,
Middle School,