Rogue’s first annual Holiday Bike Build puts new bikes under 60 trees this Christmas

For the first time ever, the companies of Rogue Waste, Inc. took part in Waste Connections' annual Holiday Bike Build charitable efforts. You can learn more about the program here.

When kids are in need — especially around the holidays — it’s easy to pull out all the stops. After all, even Santa and his elves can use a little help when it comes to building all the bikes on the list! First up, we raised over $1,000 in donations from employees — and Waste Connections’ nonprofit arm, WCNCares, matched that amount. Then we added another $4,000 from vendor donations. That gave us enough money to purchase more than 60 bikes. And it takes a lot of people and time to unbox, assemble and test 60-plus bikes. That’s where our always amazing employees came in!

On Saturday, December 14, over 40 Rogue employees turned out to build bikes — many bringing family members. And a handful of folks from Grace Point Church showed up to help too — bringing the total number of busy bike-building elves to nearly 100. Donuts, coffee and plenty of holiday cheer kept things merry and bright. And the crew was so big — and so energized — that they put together all 60+ bikes in just under an hour. Watch out North Pole, you’ve got competition!

Once the bikes were built and road-ready, they were donated to CASA of Jackson County, ACCESS and The Family Nurturing Center — three local nonprofits who will make sure the bikes make it to local kids in need in time for Christmas. Just think how excited these kids will be Christmas morning to find out that Santa has not only come, but he’s brought them a shiny new bike!

As always, a huge thank you to all of our Rogue volunteers and their families. Your heart, spirit and dedication helped put a bow on a happier holiday for dozens of local kids who might otherwise go without this Christmas season.