Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation Donates and Distributes 250 Children’s Bikes to Local Veterans and Military Families in Time for the Holidays
Nearly 3,000 bikes have been donated across the region
North Kingstown, RI – (November 19, 2024) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 153 stores across the Northeast, and its Charitable Foundation donated and distributed 250 bikes to children of veterans and military families on Saturday at the Newington Veterans Affairs Clinic in Newington, Connecticut.
The donation is the result of OSJL’s Buy-Give-Get program, which is a community-driven initiative designed to provide essential items to those in need through the generosity of OSJL customers coupled with OSJL’s purchasing power. Customers were invited to buy a children’s bike for $100 at any OSJL store, give it back to the store, and get a $100 Crazy Deal Gift Card to use towards future purchases.
To date, the program’s success has resulted in the distribution of nearly 3,000 bikes to children of military families across the Northeast. Previous initiatives have resulted in the distribution of more than 60,000 coats to veterans in need, and thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to local students in need.
“We want to thank our generous and loyal customers for their commitment to our mission to assist veterans and military families year-round,” said David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation. “Knowing that these bicycles will spread some joy to local children in time for the holidays is incredibly fulfilling and we are grateful to our community partners and volunteers who helped in this effort.”
Prior to the Newington donation, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation was in Philadelphia, PA, delivering and distributing more than 2,500 “Buckets for Vets” that include warm winter coats and other cold-weather essentials to partner organizations in the city. Philadelphia hosts one of the largest veteran populations in the Northeast.
In addition, OSJL offers year-round support for veterans and military families through programs such as the “Military and Veteran Deal Days,” and the annual “Buy, Give, Get” programs that provide backpacks, bicycles, winter coats, and more to veterans across the Northeast. and Mid-Atlantic.
David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation
Volunteers load donated Huffy bicycles into vehicles at the Newington Veterans Affairs Clinic
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 156 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, approximately 5,600 employees, and annual sales exceeding $800 million. OSJL Shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool, and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a four-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a three-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. *Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in the Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Website: OceanStateJobLot.com.
