Health Update: Cottageville Elementary School- Health & Wellness Initiative – What Experts Say

Pedaling Toward a Brighter Future

From the Recycling Center to the Playground: The Wheels of Change An idea is only as strong as the community behind it. What began as a simple observation during our annual “Bike to School” day has transformed into a mini- movement. After noticing many of our students lacked working bicycles, we set out to restore just one bike from the recycling center. Today, that “simple gesture” has blossomed into the Cottageville Bike Restoration Project, and we are just getting started.

The Story So Far

13 Bikes Awarded: Through an English Language Arts (ELA) writing competition, students shared why they wanted a bike and how they’d care for it. Community judges selected the winners, putting 13 reconditioned bikes back on the road!

The Power of Partnership: The Colleton County Recycling Center donated 14 bikes, and our neighbors at Thunderbolt Career & Technology Center built a custom 40 – slot rack to house our growing fleet. The Sham Shack Farm provided 20 safety helmets.

The Bike Repair Club: We aren’t just giving bikes away; we’re teaching skills. Our new club allows students to learn the mechanics of repair, with upcoming workshops supported by the Charleston Bike Shop.

All bikes on campus will be incorporated into the Cottageville ‘Pedaling Toward a Brighter Future’ Health & Wellness Initiative.

Physical Education and Special Needs Faculty Health & Wellness

Taking Mission Coast-to-Coast

Over the winter break, Coach McNeely and friend Andy Grist took our mission to the West Coast. Thanks to Southwest Airlines, the duo traveled through Nevada, California, Arizona, and Utah hiking seven National Parks along the way.

At every park entrance, they proudly displayed the Cottageville Elementary banner, sharing our story with travelers from around the globe. This “Move for Youth” trek has already put our small South Carolina school on the map and jumpstarted our fundraising efforts.

By The Numbers

We’ve made incredible progress, but the “waiting list” is growing:

48 bikes currently on campus.

31 bikes fully restored.

40 bikes waiting for their second chance.

“An idea is nothing more than that without the support of the administration, faculty, student body, and the Cottageville community.”

How You Can Help

As this project grows, so does the need for funding. Whether it’s for parts, tools, paint or safety gear, every dollar helps a student get moving. We are calling on our “Friends of Cottageville” to help us keep rolling to our next milestone- one gear at a time. Cottageville Elementary School ‘Pedaling

Toward a Brighter Future’ Bike Restoration Fund

648 Peirce Road

Cottageville SC 29435

843-782-4528