By Krystal Moralee

For the past 15 years, the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund has brought educational opportunities and support to local students from kindergarten to college prep, granting over $200,000 since 2010.

Recent grants include support for the College Access Program at Port Huron High School and Port Huron Northern High School as well as something new – four adaptive tricycle bikes for Garfield and Woodrow Wilson elementary schools.

“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this $10,000 grant to purchase adaptive tricycle bikes for our students,” said Natalie Adair, supervisor for special education services for Port Huron Schools. “The generous support from the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund has opened new opportunities for children with mobility challenges to experience the joy, confidence, and independence that come with riding a bike.”

Adaptive tricycles, such as the Rifton bikes that the Port Huron school district is using, give children with special needs a fun, safe way to build physical and cognitive skills while promoting independence. The three-wheel design provides stability and confidence, allowing kids to focus on coordination rather than balance. As they pedal, they strengthen leg and core muscles, improve motor planning, and boost cardiovascular health. Riding also supports focus and sensory regulation, helping many children feel calmer and more engaged. Beyond physical benefits, adaptive trikes encourage positive social interactions.

“For many of our students, this will be their first time participating fully in an activity that promotes inclusion, physical health, sensory integration and social connection,” said Adair. “This grant is more than financial support—it’s an investment in our students’ happiness, growth, and sense of belonging. Your belief in our mission inspires us to continue working tirelessly to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all.”

The adaptive trikes have been in use since the beginning of the school year, and they have proven very helpful – and popular! The school district is already looking into ways to bring in more of them to serve the needs of the elementary school special education students.

“It’s truly inspiring to see our students embracing adaptive bikes as part of their daily routines—using them not only for sensory regulation and movement breaks, but also as a powerful tool for building confidence, independence, and joy in movement,” said Adair. “Watching students gain confidence and independence through adaptive biking has been incredible—each ride not only supports their sensory and physical needs but also empowers them to explore new skills and experience the freedom of movement in meaningful ways.”

Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund Chair Kim Dooley recently had the opportunity to visit one of the schools to see the bikes in use, and she was delighted to see their impact.

“The kids were so joyful to be using the bikes, you can tell how helpful they will be,” said Dooley. “We know the grants from the endowment fund make a real difference in the schools, but it was extra special to see the smiles on the kids’ faces while they used these adaptive bikes! I’m so thankful to the original donors and the ongoing support from our community that allows us to support things like this.”

The Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund began in 2010 with a generous donation from a community family. Rather than spending the funds on immediate goals, an endowment was established, allowing the one-time donation to have an ongoing impact.

Thanks to two annual fundraisers – the Ks for Kids Fun Run and the Crosstown Showdown – as well as additional contributions from Port Huron School supporters each year, the fund managed by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has grown to nearly $540,000.

Whether you sponsor or attend one of the annual events or make a donation in kind, 100% of your contribution goes directly to the fund. That generous support allows the fund to grow, enabling more educational impact each year and for generations to come. If you’d like to support the Port Huron Schools Endowment fund, click here.