One Teacher. One Student. A Movement.
What started as one teacher's wish to buy her student a birthday bike became a movement that has now given over 5,583 bikes to children across the Lowcountry.
The Story So Far
One Student Changed Everything
Katie Blomquist was a first-grade teacher in a low-income elementary school when she met 6-year-old Jawan, who wanted a bike for his birthday. It shocked Katie to learn he had never owned one.
650 Bikes. One GoFundMe.
Remembering her childhood filled with joyful bike rides, Katie launched a GoFundMe to buy every one of the 650 students in her school a brand-new bike. With the help of a local bike shop, this idea became a reality.
The Story Went National
The campaign raised over $80,000 and went viral. Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, Time Magazine, USA Today, and the Steve Harvey Show all covered the story. On March 30, 2017, Katie surprised every student at Pepperhill Elementary.
Going Places Was Born
After that day, Katie had an even greater vision: a nonprofit to bring joy to children in need. She stepped away from teaching and in June 2017, got to work building Going Places — rallying the community around a simple but powerful cause.
5,583 Bikes and Counting
Over nine years, Going Places grew from one school to thousands of bikes across Charleston and beyond — including an 830-bike reveal in Arizona. The organization added bike builds, corporate partnerships, an annual gala, and a growing board.
1,200 Bikes. 3 Schools. 1 Mission.
This year, Going Places is aiming to give 1,200 bikes — more than ever before. With three school reveals planned, a gala at The Cedar Room, and partners like MassMutual South Carolina, the movement is reaching its next level.
Why a Bike?
Numerous organizations focus on providing the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. But one thing often overlooked for children is their social-emotional need for joy. For many kids living in poverty, it's when they get home from school that the real stress begins.
These kids can live in less-than-desirable and unpredictable circumstances. A bike provides a sense of freedom and escape. It builds self-worth by being the first item of value they can call their own. A bike can restore the innocence of childhood that many have had taken away.
What kind of life is one without joy? What kind of adult will a child grow up to be if they have lacked joy?
We invite everyone in our community to join us on this ride of providing joy to these children in need — and letting them know they deserve to go places in life.
Local Community Supporting Local Community
One of Going Places' core values is the local community supporting the local community. These children are growing up in — and most likely will remain as adults in — our local community.
We believe that as they grow up, they will see and understand that the community they live in rallied together to support them and bring them joy. This will hopefully affect the way they treat the community in return.
Build for Joy — Our Biggest Day of the Year
Charleston businesses building 1,200 brand-new bikes by hand for children at three Title I schools. Build tables from $500, sponsorships from $250.