Kaiser Permanente partnered with the Maryland Cycling Classic this week to host a series of energizing school assemblies promoting a healthy lifestyle through cycling at four elementary schools in Baltimore City and County. Together, the organizations donated 50 bikes and helmets to students at Creative City Public Charter School and Chadwick Elementary. Assemblies were also held at New Song Community Learning Center and Johnnycake Elementary, offering bike safety tips and getting kids excited about cycling.
The school assemblies and bike giveaways were made possible through Kaiser Permanente’s sponsorship of the Maryland Cycling Classic, taking place on Sept. 6, and were a highlight of race week. Students enjoyed interactive assemblies focused on bike safety, healthy habits, and the joy of cycling, with support from pro cyclists and race ambassadors including Maize Wimbush and Rahsaan Bahati. Kaiser Permanente employees assembled the donated bikes during a recent volunteer event.
“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe health starts in the community, whether it’s on sidewalks, in schools, or at events like the Maryland Cycling Classic,” said Emily Holliman, interim regional president at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States. “The Maryland Cycling Classic inspires community members to move their bodies and make physical activity a part of their everyday lifestyle which is directly aligned with Kaiser Permanente’s mission. Our continued investment in Baltimore reflects our deep commitment to creating safe and healthy spaces where young people and families can thrive.”
Kaiser Permanente’s support for Baltimore students through sponsoring the Maryland Cycling Classic is just one example of how Kaiser Permanente extends its mission to improve the health of the communities it serves. By introducing children to cycling, Kaiser Permanente hopes to spark lifelong healthy habits, support safe physical activity, and strengthen the connection between health, movement, and community.
“The Maryland Cycling Classic is a world-class competition that also creates lasting benefits for the community,” said Terry Hasseltine, president and chairman, Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. “By partnering with Kaiser Permanente to put bikes in the hands of young people, we’re not only promoting healthy lifestyles, but also enhancing Maryland’s economy and quality of life through the power of sport.”
To learn more about how Kaiser Permanente shows up in the Baltimore community, follow us on Instagram @KaiserPermanenteMidAtlantic.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
About Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland
The Maryland Cycling Classic is owned by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, a 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation and affiliated foundation of the Maryland Sports Commission, which is a division of the Maryland Stadium Authority, and was established in 2019 to further, promote, and move the State of Maryland forward through sports. Terry Hasseltine is the president. John Kelly is chairman of the Maryland Cycling Classic, Steve Brunner is the Executive Director and Race Director is Jim Birrell.
