Raising Cane’s brightens Christmas for St. Louis youth with a heartfelt bike donation.
As the children were ushered into the gym at the Adams Park Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) in South City, a sense of wonderment captured their imaginations.
Upon entering the gym, the sight lit up their eyes like sparkling Christmas tree lights, accompanied by the sounds of “Oohs and Ahhs” that the holiday season delivers.
To the wiggling youngers’ delight, a gym full of red and white bicycles awaited them, courtesy of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
The event was the Annual Christmas Bash at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis on Thursday, December 19 at Adams Park Club, 4341 Vista Ave. Raising Cane’s, in a display of remarkable generosity, donated 100 bikes and helmets as part of their Annual Bike Giveaway.
Asher Robinson, 11, joyfully sat on the bike he just received, ready to ride and show off the name imprinted on the frame.
“It’s cool. It’s made by Raising Cane’s,” he said, adjusting his helmet.
Marlo Williams’ son, 8-year-old Tariq Williams, who received one of the bikes, praised the restaurant’s giveaway as a much-needed deed.
“A lot of kid’s families can’t afford Christmas gifts like new, shiny bikes,” Williams said. “Nice.”
Incoming BGCSTL leader, Brandon Williams, gave a shoutout to Raising Cane’s for its efforts to bring holiday cheer to the youth.
‘I really want to thank them for their hard work in making this annual bike giveaway a huge success, especially for our young people, who are our future leaders and is the reason I’m doing this job,” Williams said. “I have children ages 6-17, so I’m excited to do this work today. I’m a club kid myself.”
The BGCSTL Board of Directors recently appointed Williams as the organization’s new President & Chief Executive Officer. A St. Louis native, a former National Football League (NFL) player and prior executive with the United Football League (UFL) St. Louis Battlehawks, will assume the role on January 1.
Williams, a Hazelwood East High School graduate and member of Matthews Dickeys Boys Club in his youth, will take over from BGCSTL President Dr. Flint Fowler. Dr. Fowler led the Club for nearly 30 years.
A spokesperson for Raising Cane’s said the bike donations are in its fifth year nationally with more than 2,500 bikes given out. The Washington D.C.-based fast-food chain specializes in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.
Williams acknowledged the founder and owner of Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves for creating the initiative several years ago. He praised Graves for his dedication to inspiring young people in St. Louis and beyond.
“We are excited about the future and the potential to impact more young people through our continued partnership,” Williams said. “Thank you again for spreading holiday cheer to our club members.”
The event featured a surprise guest invited by Raising Cane’s, Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., better known by his stage name Nelly. A rapper, singer, and actor, he grew up in University City and embarked on his musical career in 1993 as a member of the Midwest hip-hop group St. Lunatics.
Nelly has been nominated for or won awards from the Grammys, BET, Billboard, and other music awards honors. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the United States.
Nelly said he was honored to be part of the event that brings joy to children during the holiday season who may not have thought it conceivable to receive anything,
“When you get around these types of holidays, to me, it’s more about the kids,” he said. “Christmas is so much better with kids. There are only a few people in this world who get everything they want. But to receive something, you thought you would never get – a lot of these kids didn’t think they would be getting new bikes, probably didn’t think it was possible.”
Seven-year-old Picsley said she’s ready to take her bike outside to see what it can do. Her mother, Amy McMillian, said Raising Cane’s gesture is heartfelt.
“I think it’s awesome. They’re giving bikes to kids who may not have gotten a lot of Christmas,” she said. “They’re giving the children a good Christmas.”
#communityspirit #RaisingCanesGivesBack #StLouis
