Every Kid Deserves the Joy of Riding a Bike
Going Places provides brand-new, custom bicycles to entire elementary schools of children in low-income communities because every child deserves the simple, fundamental right to experience joy.
It Started With One Kid Who Just Wanted a Bike
In 2016, first-grade teacher Katie Blomquist learned that her student Jawan had never owned a bike. When she asked around her class, she realized most of her students hadn't either.
Katie raised over $80,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and surprised all 650 students at Pepperhill Elementary with brand-new bikes. The story made national news — Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Time Magazine — and Going Places was born.
How We Bring Joy
Every dollar raised goes directly toward putting a brand-new bike, helmet, lock, and pump in the hands of a child who has never had one.
We Raise the Funds
Through our gala, community sponsors, and generous donors, we raise the money to purchase brand-new, high-quality custom bikes from a local Charleston bike shop.
The Community Builds
Hundreds of volunteers come together at our annual Bike Build to assemble every single bike by hand. It's a party with a purpose — and everyone leaves changed.
Kids Get Their Ride
At our Bike Reveals, every child in a Title 1 elementary school is surprised with a brand-new bike, helmet, lock, and pump. For many, it's the first new thing they've ever owned.
Every Bike Changes a Life
For many of these kids, a bike is the first item of value they've ever called their own. Your donation restores the innocence of childhood. Pick what you'd like to give.
Going Places is a 501(c)(3) — your gift is fully tax-deductible. EIN: 81-5267546
This Is Our Biggest Year Yet
Two flagship events. Four bike reveals. 2,500 bikes. Join us as we bring more joy to more kids than ever before.
The Going Places Gala
An unforgettable evening of plated dinner, caviar tasting, cigar rolling, garden wall cocktail experiences, valet parking, live and silent auctions, open bar, live music by Warrick McZeke, and more — all at The Cedar Room in Charleston. Black tie optional.
Get Tickets & SponsorshipsBike Build & Reveal
Hundreds of community volunteers build bikes together, then we surprise every kid in a Title 1 school with their very own ride. This year goes bigger.
Volunteer or SponsorEvery Kind of Help Counts
Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word — you're putting a kid on a bike.
Make a Donation
Every contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly toward bikes for kids. $175 gives one child a complete ride — bike, helmet, lock, and pump.
Donate NowBecome a Sponsor
Corporate and community sponsorships fund bike reveals and events. Your brand gets visibility while directly changing children's lives.
View PackagesVolunteer With Us
Join the community at our Bike Builds and Reveals. Build a bike with your own hands and watch a kid's face light up when they see it.
Sign Up
Katie Turned One Boy's Wish Into a Movement
Katie spent six years as a Title 1 teacher in Charleston before launching Going Places in 2017. What started as a GoFundMe to buy her students bikes became a nonprofit that has now given over 5,583 bikes to kids across the Lowcountry and beyond.
Her story has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, the Steve Harvey Show, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She was named one of Charleston's Forty Under 40 and received the Jefferson Award — the nation's highest honor for community service.
Now in year nine, Katie's vision is bigger than ever: 2,500 bikes in 2026, four school reveals, and a path to becoming a national nonprofit.
Learn More About Going PlacesProudly Supported By
Everything You Want to Know
What is Going Places?+
Going Places is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina that gives brand-new, custom bicycles to entire elementary schools of children in low-income communities. Founded by former teacher Katie Blomquist, the organization believes every child deserves the simple, fundamental right to experience joy.
Who founded Going Places?+
Going Places was founded by Katie Blomquist, a former first-grade teacher at Pepperhill Elementary in North Charleston. In 2016, a student told her he had never owned a bicycle. She launched a GoFundMe that raised over $80,000 — enough to buy all 650 students brand-new bikes.
How does Going Places choose which schools receive bikes?+
Going Places focuses on Title 1 elementary schools in the Charleston Lowcountry where 80% or more of students live at or below the poverty line. Every child aged 4-10 at the selected school receives a bike — no one is left out.
How much does it cost to give a child a bike?+
$175 gives one child a complete ride — a brand-new custom bicycle, helmet, lock, and pump. Smaller donations help too: $7 for a pump, $10 for a lock, $25 for a helmet, $133 for the bike itself.
What does each child receive?+
Every child at a Going Places bike reveal receives a brand-new, custom-built bicycle along with a fitted helmet, a combination lock, and a pump. For many children, it is the first brand-new thing they have ever owned.
How can I donate to Going Places?+
You can donate online at goingplacesnonprofit.charityproud.org/Donate. All contributions are tax-deductible. Going Places also accepts monthly recurring donations and corporate sponsorships.
Can I volunteer at a bike build or reveal?+
Yes! Going Places welcomes volunteers for bike builds (December) and reveal days throughout the school year. Email [email protected] or visit our contact page to sign up.
Where is Going Places located?+
Going Places is headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and serves Title 1 elementary schools throughout the Charleston Lowcountry. Mailing address: P.O. Box 2188, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465.
How many bikes has Going Places given away?+
Over 5,583 brand-new bikes as of 2026. The 2026 goal is 2,500 bikes across four school reveals — the most ambitious year in the organization's nine-year history.
How can my business sponsor Going Places?+
Going Places offers gala sponsorships, bike build sponsorships, and year-round partnerships. Contact [email protected] or call (224) 715-5156 to learn about sponsorship packages.
What is the Going Places Gala?+
The Going Places Gala is an annual black-tie-optional fundraising event at The Cedar Room in Charleston. The 2026 gala features a plated dinner, caviar tasting, cigar rolling, live and silent auctions, open bar, and live music by Warrick McZeke. All proceeds go directly to buying bikes for kids.
Is Going Places a registered nonprofit?+
Yes. Going Places is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. The EIN is 81-5267546. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Want to Come?
Whether you give, build, or show up — you're putting a kid on a bike. And that changes everything.