Paul’s Sheet Metal Supports Therapy for Kids in Rice Lake
Paul’s Sheet Metal recently donated four new bikes to NorthLakes Community Clinic’s Therapy for Kids program in Rice Lake, replacing well-loved bikes that had reached the end of their useful life. The donation includes a 12-inch balance bike and 12-, 16- and 20-inch standard bikes.
NorthLakes offers occupational, physical and speech therapy for kids at its Rice Lake clinic. Bikes are one of the tools therapists can use to help children work on skills that support their development and everyday activities.
Bike riding can help children develop balance, core stability, coordination, motor planning, lower-body strength and endurance while also providing sensory input. These skills can carry over into many activities beyond riding a bike. Learning to ride can also help children build confidence and independence.
“Kids learn and grow through movement and play, and having equipment that makes therapy engaging can make such a difference,” said Erika Krzmarzick, clinic manager at NorthLakes Community Clinic in Rice Lake. “These bikes give our therapy team another way to help children build important skills while doing something that feels fun and familiar. We’re very grateful to Paul’s Sheet Metal for investing in the kids and families we serve.”
The new bikes give therapists several sizes and styles to use with children at different stages of development, including a balance bike that lets children practice stability and coordination before progressing to a traditional bicycle.
Paul’s Sheet Metal is a family-owned business that has operated for more than 100 years. The company provides heating and cooling services, roofing, and sheet metal fabrication for residential and commercial customers.
NorthLakes Community Clinic thanks Paul’s Sheet Metal for supporting Therapy for Kids and helping children build skills that carry into everyday life.
Photo L2R: Ryan Kittleson, commercial HVAC estimator; Erika Krzmarzick, clinic manager; Greg Hayes, roofing manager
