More than 80 kids who call Mercy Housing home now have bikes, thanks to the efforts of two Denver-based organizations!

On Friday, June 30, Janus Henderson Investors, a leading global active asset manager, and Wish for Wheels, a nonprofit that gives bikes to kids from low-income families, teamed up to build 80 bikes and deliver them to the ecstatic children living at Holly Park, a Mercy Housing community in Commerce City, Colorado.

The 44 employees of Janus Henderson Investors met in the morning to do a “team build” with Wish for Wheels.

“It was fantastic. The folks from Janus built these bikes in almost record time,” said Chris Webster, Build/Give Manager with Wish for Wheels. “And then to top it off by giving these bikes to these awesome kids at Mercy Housing, it’s been a perfect day.”

After the bikes were built, the two organizations delivered them to Holly Park. As dozens of kids came pouring in to claim their bikes, Wish for Wheels and Janus Henderson Group employees distributed helmets, adjusted the bikes’ seat heights, and made sure that kids knew how to ride safely.

“The event was awesome,” said Demesha Hill, Community Relations Manager with Janus Henderson Investors. “It was a great way for us to give back to our community and really make an impact in young people’s lives by giving them their first bike.

The bikes will encourage the kids at Holly Park to spend time outside and exercise. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, children and teenagers who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and a host of other health conditions.

A big thanks to the Janus Henderson Investors, Wish for Wheels, and the amazing staff at Holly Park for bringing bikes to these enthusiastic riders!

About Janus Henderson Investors

Janus Henderson Investors exists to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals. Formed in 2017 from the merger between Janus Capital Group and Henderson Global Investors, they are committed to adding value through active management. For them, active is more than their investment approach – it is the way they translate ideas into action, how they communicate their views, and the partnerships they build in order to create the best outcomes for clients. For more information about Janus Henderson Investors, please visit their website at janushenderson.com.

About Wish for Wheels

Wish for Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives brand new bicycles and helmets to kids in low income communities. Founded in 2004, their first giveaway made it clear that the bikes bring health and happiness into kids’ lives and for that reason, they are committed to making a difference. Their unique model bundles corporate philanthropy, team-building, and employee engagements through bike builds, to deliver brand new bikes to kids in the community. They are successful thanks to the generosity of their corporate partners and volunteers in the community. To learn more about Wish for Wheels, visit their website at wishforwheels.org.

About Mercy Housing

Mercy Housing, Inc. (MHI), is a leading national affordable housing nonprofit headquartered in Denver, Colo. Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1981, and in operation in 41 states, MHI has 35 years’ experience developing, preserving, managing, and financing affordable housing. MHI supplements much of its housing with Resident Services, programs that help residents build stable lives. MHI’s subsidiaries further the organization’s mission: Mercy Housing Management Group (MHMG) offers professional property management and Mercy Loan Fund (MLF) finances nonprofit organizations. MHI serves tens of thousands of people with low incomes, including families, seniors, veterans, people who have experienced homelessness, and people with disabilities. Its mission is to build a more humane world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy, and all people can live to their full potential. To learn more about MHI and the services it provides, visit mercyhousing.org.