For South Boston Neighborhood House, being part of the Rodman for Kids Charity Partner Program is about more than participating in a fundraising event. It’s about creating opportunities for the kids and families they serve to be part of something bigger.
So, when getting to Foxboro for the annual Ride for Kids wasn’t feasible for many of their families, they brought the Ride to them.
This year, South Boston Neighborhood House – affectionately known as “The Ollie” – hosted its own Ollie Kids Bike Bash, creating an accessible way for young people and families from across its programs to experience the fun, community, and spirit of giving back that surrounds the Ride for Kids.
South Boston Neighborhood House serves children and families across several program areas, many of whom face transportation and financial barriers that can make traveling from Boston to Foxboro difficult. Rather than let distance stand in the way of participation, The Ollie created a solution: host a ride right in their own neighborhood!
Held at the organization’s Boston Pre-K site in South Boston, the Kids Bike Bash welcomed 88 participants ranging in age from 1 to 16, representing its Boston Pre-K, School Age, and Education & Career Development programs. Siblings, cousins, and other family members joined the festivities, while teen staff members helped supervise and support younger riders. The result was a community-centered celebration designed to give kids of all ages an opportunity to participate.
“The Ollie was proud to come together for the 2026 Kids Bike Bash in support of Rodman for Kids and Team Ollie,” said Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of South Boston Neighborhood House. “Events like this bring our community together around what matters most—giving children the opportunity to thrive, have fun, and feel supported.”
Accessibility went beyond simply bringing the event to South Boston. The Bike Bash also strengthened South Boston Neighborhood House’s partnership with Boston Youth Cycling, a City of Boston-funded program that provides children in the community with opportunities to learn how to ride a bike, build confidence, and develop bike safety skills at no cost.
For the Bike Bash, bicycles and helmets from the program were available to families who didn’t have their own equipment. By eliminating another potential barrier, every child who wanted to participate had the opportunity to get on a bike and join the fun.
Families were also invited to make a voluntary $5 donation per child, with contributions supporting Team Ollie’s Ride for Kids fundraising efforts. In doing so, kids and families helped support The Ollie Team’s fundraising efforts for the Rodman Ride for Kids, allowing their families to be part of a meaningful cause while enjoying a fun and active community event.
As Lafferty shared:
“This event also gives our children and families a chance to be part of something bigger, and experience firsthand the joy of helping others.”
The Ollie Kids Bike Bash is a perfect example of what it means to be a Rodman for Kids Charity Partner.
The Ride for Kids may take place on one day in Foxboro, but its impact extends far beyond the starting line. The Charity Partner Program has never been about asking organizations to simply participate in a bike ride. It’s designed to provide resources, opportunities, and a network that partners can use in ways that make sense for the kids and communities they serve.
For South Boston Neighborhood House, that meant removing barriers, bringing families together, getting kids moving, and giving young people an opportunity to experience the power of giving back – all without having to leave their neighborhood.