Meet : Connie Hankins - 2012 Individual LOVEbug Contest Winner.
Connie Hankins
of Naperville has been building and modifying trikes for children with special needs
since 1996 when she got involved with the Pioneers, her husband's retirement organization.
They had a tricycle project that appealed to Connie because of her background as
a retired Registered Nurse and her love of children. Since then, around 70 children
a year have benefited from receiving a free tricycle; nearly 1000 children to date.
This year, because of publicity from People Magazine, The Daily Herald, and Diane
Sawyer's World News on ABC, 145 orders from all over the U.S. have been received.
Many of the children cannot pedal a regular trike, so special back supports with
safety belts, and foot containments that hold their feet on the pedals are added
to each trike; along with upright handlebars if needed. This is a very fulfilling
and worthwhile project because of the impact it has on the children's lives. It
gives them excellent therapy, freedom, and ultimately sheer joy.
Tricycles Give Boost to Disabled Kids - ABC News
Meet : Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. - 2012 Non-Profit LOVEbug Contest Winner.
Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI), is a leader in providing
educational and outreach camp programs for children with cancer. Their One Step
At a Time Summer Camp offers 10 camp programs throughout the year designed to meet
the emotional, educational, and support needs of the pediatric cancer patients and
their families. COSI hosted over 500 children in 2010 helping them to make friendships
for life, giving them confidence, and offering them a diversion from their illness.
Visit Children's Oncology Services, Inc. online at www.onestepcamp.org