The idea for Helmets from Javi was born in Albuquerque shortly after our son, Javier Garcia, lost his life in a bike accident. His friend, Nick Tessi created a page in honor of Javi. He had the idea of having a bike ride and asking participants to bring a child's helmet to give away. Javi's friends joined in and the Helmets from Javi bike ride was created. a few weeks later, we finished the bike ride for Javi and over 200 bike helmets had been donated. Everyone who knew Javi, knew that he had a passion for cycling and all outdoor sports. He loved to introduce his friends to the great outdoors, especially cycling. He also had a passion for living a healthy life style that included a healthy diet as well as exercise. Giving kids bike helmets and introducing them to the joy and benefits of cycling was the most meaningful way to remember him! Javi's friends and family have continued honoring his memory with the Helmets from Javi bike ride in Albuquerque held annually in October. In 2013, Mario and Ramona realized that there was a need for education on bicycle safety in Texas, as much as in Albuquerque. They created the Helmets from Javi Foundation. The foundation would distribute free bike helmets to kids but the main focus was to educate the kids and their parents on bike safety, skills, and the joy of cycling. After creating the foundation, Mario and Ramona planned bike helmet giveaway events in their home town of Alice, Texas. They included teaching about bicycle safety, skills, rules of the road, care of the bike and healthy eating in their presentations. Helmet giveaways were held at schools, church events, youth centers and a rehab center. In 2015, giveaways were expanded to Beeville, Texas. To date, over 850 bike helmets have been distributed to children. In the 2014-15 school year, a bike club was created at William Adams Middle School. Helmets from Javi was invited to participate and so we did! HFJ provided bike helmets to each of the club members. Mario helped the students master basic cycling skills, learn safety precautions and the rules of the road. Mario encouraged and gave support to the students as they trained with the goal of finishing the 30 mile bike ride in the tour de Honey honoring Javi bike ride on May 23, 2015. The tour de Honey honoring Javi bike ride
was created by the Beeville Stingers bike club. The ride was held on May 23, 2015 with 30, 50 and 65 mile options. We are extremely pleased to report that the ride was very successful! We had more than 200 cyclists participate in the ride and about 40 volunteers. We celebrated after the ride with music and great barbecue. We are so touched and grateful to so many who have generously donated to Helmets from Javi. We want you to know that your gift will be going to help prevent children from receiving head injury and losing their lives. We want to encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes cycling. After Javi passed away, we discovered a whole new extended family in Albuquerque, NM, (his cycling friends!) who have given us love and support. Today we welcome you to our family! As the foundation grows, we will continue helmet giveaway events, share the joy of cycling, teach bicycle sfety and encourage ahealthy life style. we plan to continue to be involved with the WAMS bike club and other clubs as invited. We also plan to expand our services to surrounding towns. Our long range goal is to start kids cycling camps. Again, Thank you for taking part in our mission, to protect kids from head injury, "one helmet at a time".
