SmartStop Self Storage is partnering with Riding on Insulin, a nonprofit organization that operates programs for kids, teens and adults living with Type 1 diabetes, to sponsor a daylong BMX camp for kids on Oct. 19 in Chandler, Ariz. The event, for children ages 7 to 17, will feature professional racer Matt Neal, the manager for Type 1 BMX, a team of riders with diabetes. Neal will lead the camp, which will teach biking skills and provide inspiration to kids with diabetes as well as their siblings and friends.

The sponsorship will help offset the camp cost of approximately $500 per participant and provide loaner bikes to campers who dont own bikes. The sponsorship money will also cover travel expenses for the Type 1 BMX racers.

Sponsoring Riding on Insulin is extremely personal to me, as I have a five-year-old nephew living with this challenging condition and who is a BMX racer, said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO. This nonprofit is amazing, as it helps raise awareness about the challenges these kids go through each day and to make sure they feel just like everybody else.

The BMX camp is a first for Riding on Insulin, which traditionally sponsors ski and snowboarding camps for people with diabetes. During the event, kids of all experience levels will have an opportunity to learn and sharpen their bike skills with Type 1 BMX team members while their parents network.

The kids get to spend the day realizing theyre not alone and that having Type 1 diabetes is not a be all and end all to their lives, said Michelle Page-Alswager, the organizations development director. Were so appreciative that SmartStop saw the value of this and came on board. Without SmartStops sponsorship, there would be no camp.

SmartStop Self Storage is the operating brand for Strategic Storage Trust Inc., a non-traded real estate investment trust. The companys portfolio includes 113 properties in 17 states and Canada.