Ten Edwardsville-area kids win a bike for reading books this spring
The JewelRide Books for Bikes Spring Reading Challenge recently concluded, leaving ten lucky Edwardsville-area kids with brand-new bicycles and a community inspired by the power of reading. The event, which ran from March 1st to April 15th, successfully motivated children in kindergarten through eighth grade to put their “pedal to the page” for a chance to win a bike.
Seven-year-old Eddie Turner of Edwardsville was among the winners. “I read 15 books including ‘Dog Man’ about a dog-headed cop,” Turner said with a grin. “I’m going to have fun with my friends on this new bike.” His enthusiasm, along with that of the other nine winners, is a testament to the program’s success in making reading an exciting and rewarding experience.
“Ten Edwardsville-area kids win a bike for reading books this spring” The Edwardsville Intelligencer,
https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/edwardsville-il-library-books-for-bikes-winners-20296117.php April 27th, 2025.
JewelRide’s Commitment to Community and Wellness
The heart of this initiative lies in the partnership and vision of JewelRide. As the title sponsor, the company’s involvement is a clear demonstration of its core values. JewelRide Founder and CEO Tapiwa Mupereki shared the company’s motivation behind the event.
“One of the things we like to promote in the community is literacy, and we are interested in getting people to read and have healthy lifestyles,” said Mupereki. “The participation of these kids means everything to us. It’s a joy for us as a business and for me as an individual.”
This commitment to community well-being is not just a company policy; it’s a personal mission. By aligning with partners like the Edwardsville Public Library and The Cyclery and Fitness Center, JewelRide helps to create a comprehensive program that benefits both the minds and bodies of local children. This collaborative spirit ensures the challenge is a powerful motivator, as parent Shannon Wallace observed about her daughters, who also participated.
“They are now motivated to read,” Wallace said. “I think this is a great combination of reading and bicycling and it’s a great motivator because my girls are very active. I love that the library constantly does these things to motivate readers.”
The Challenge and Its Winners
The challenge was simple and effective: for every book a child read, they earned one raffle ticket, with a cap of 20 tickets per child. The new bikes were presented on April 26 during a random drawing, an exciting culmination of a month and a half of reading.
The 2025 JewelRide Books for Bikes Spring Reading Challenge winners are a diverse group of young readers, including Teresa Foppe, Giovanni Bolt, Charlotte Doyle, Aurora Chung, Raahi Ray, Clare Hake, Eddie Turner, Oliver Veto, Juniper Dust, and Clara Cartright. The event was made possible through the generous support of all its sponsors: Dr. Hyten of Hyten Dental, JewelRide, The Cyclery and Fitness Center, Edwardsville Public Library, YCG Accounting and Thompson Flaherty, and BJ’s Printables.
Through their sponsorship, the JewelRide team is not just giving away bikes; they’re investing in the future of the community, promoting healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
