Church helps give away 110 bicycles to children
BUTLER TOWNSHIP — Children from around the community Saturday were able to pedal new bikes courtesy of Christ Community United Methodist Church.
The church, in partnership with several organizations, donated 110 bicycles to children at its location on Duffy Road at its Bikes to Hope event.
“It’s wonderful,” said Christ Community pastor Bruce Gascoine. “I think for the people of the church it’s a great feeling to do it, but mostly I think our feeling is to see kids having fun riding and enjoying the other games here.”
Any child was eligible for a bike; all they had to do was fill out an application. For 14-year-old Rose Medina of Lyndora, getting a bike was more than just a fun thing to do. It’s something that will help her health.
Rose has been through three open-heart surgeries, and will require more every 10 years. Because of this, said her father, Albert Medina, physical activity is greatly beneficial.
“This will help her, to give her more ability,” he said. “She’s allowed to do a lot of things.”
Rose was excited to have the bike, which sported six speeds at 10 settings per speed.
“I just really like it,” she said before taking off around the parking lot. “It feels like my style.”
The McKinnis sisters, Morgan, 11, and Taylor, 9, are looking forward to riding their bikes at their grandmother’s, or rather, Mimi’s, house.
“I’m really happy because I just outgrew my other (bike), so I’ve been waiting until I got my new one,” Morgan.
For Taylor, having a bike like the one she got Saturday marked a major milestone.
“I’ve been waiting for my new bike because we only have one at Mimi’s house that fits me, and (my sister) rides the other one,” she said. “I just learned how to ride without training wheels, which was big for me.”
Sixteen-year-old James Hawryliak was thrilled to have a bike again after a long period without one.
“I was never able to get my old one out to the new house I’m at because it just didn’t fit, so I got a new one now that I can ride at my house,” he said, while adding that his new bike is “easy to use.”
Volunteers in yellow shirts provided activities and games for the kids, including a dunk tank, face painting, and food.
The total cost of the bicycles and helmets, which also were donated, was around $9,000. They were bought at Walmart.
In addition to donations made by the church and members of the church, money, equipment, time and resources were donated by: Butler Ambulance Service, Butler Smiles, Grand Rental Station, Butler Township Fire Department Station 3, Target, NexTier Bank and the band Highway 4.
