More than 700 children were surprised to receive new bicycles this past Christmas as a result of Associated Terminals employees donating time and money to its annual “Digging for Kids” fundraising program.

The annual program encourages employees to “dig deep” into their pockets to help provide happy holidays to children in need of a brighter moment at Christmas time.

This year’s program delivered bikes to children in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas—the three states in which Associated currently has operations.

The program was extended this year to Mobile, AL and to Galveston, TX which are new locations for Associated. More than 300 bikes were purchased for Mobile area children and 100 bikes were purchased with the funds raised in Galveston. Also, more than 300 were delivered in Louisiana.

Bikes were assembled by Academy Sporting Goods at no charge, and they were distributed through a network of organizations. These include the Blue Santa programs of the respective law enforcement agencies, Positive Steps family resource, Super Star Kids Club, Women’s Battered Shelter, Ministry of Care, Live Oak Manor Elementary School, the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the LA Office of Family Support, and other individuals and groups referred to our charitable organization.