Hackensack Meridian Health Human Resources Team Builds Bikes for Charity

More than 125 members of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Human Resources Department recently gathered for a teambuilding exercise to help children and women in need.

Participants from the state’s largest and most comprehensive health care network split into 10 groups of about a dozen or so team members and each group collaborated to build a pair of 20-inch bicycles. Nancy R. Corcoran-Davidoff, executive vice president and chief experience and Human Resources officer for Hackensack Meridian Health, presented the 20 gleaming, brightly colored bikes to the City of Garfield’s Parks & Recreation Department and Mary’s Place by the Sea, each a partner organization with the health network.

“What we did today is certainly going to enhance the lives of many people,” said Corcoran-Davidoff. “It’s such a good thing to do to come together for the benefit of others.”  Corcoran-Davidoff presented 17 of the bicycles to Chris O’Reilly, director for the City of Garfield Recreation Department.

“Initially, we will be using the bikes to help teach bike safety to all summer camps in the city,” O’Reilly said. “Many kids in Garfield do not get to experience riding a bike and they will be grateful for the opportunity. Eventually we will host biking clubs, where those who sign up can take a ride around the park on a set day of the week. We would also like to give a few to select individuals, including one resident who rides around the park on an old beat-up bike, helping police ‘keep an eye on the park.’”

Corcoran-Davidoff presented the remaining three bicycles to Kara Grimes, direction of marketing and development for Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove, a respite home for women who are receiving treatment for cancer. The home is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

“Hackensack Meridian Health provides the medical treatment to women with cancer and Mary’s Place by the Sea provides them with integrative services which complement that treatment. At Mary’s Place, our guests can rest and receive support during this challenging time of their lives,” said Grimes. “We’ll be auctioning off these bicycles at our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration this October, and the proceeds will go back into providing holistic services to our guests so that they can continue to enjoy our program at no cost.”