NPMA Donates Bikes and Gear During Stay in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. — While in town for an industry meeting in Phoenix, the National Pest Management Association assembled and donated bicycles to the Residential Program for Youth of the Gila River Indian Community.

The bikes, constructed in a team-building exercise at the association’s meeting, were then donated along with helmets and other bicycling gear to the youth program, which provides a safe haven for the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect, abuse or exploitation.

NPMA donated a dozen bikes to the program, six for girls and six for boys. The bikes were given in support of the program’s commitment to engage children in daily activities that allow them to grow and develop in order to be healthy, productive and viable members of their community. The Pima tribe of the Gila River Indian Community has the highest documented rate of diabetes in the world.

“The bikes that our members built will help encourage Pima children to have fun and enjoy a more active lifestyle, which can help to prevent diabetes,” explained Rob Lederer, executive vice president of the NPMA. “The National Pest Management Association is pleased to have this chance to give back to the Pima Community during our time here in Phoenix and we thank the GRIC community for its hospitality.”

The GRIC owns and operates the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, Ariz., where NPMA’s Academy meeting was held from July 23-25, 2009.

For more information about the National Pest Management Association, please visit www.pestworld.org.