Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (IU29) hosted a presentation by Charles LaVallee, Chief Executive Officer of Variety, the Children’s Charity attended by Representatives of the Schuylkill County United Labor Council.
Variety is a non-profit organization originally based in Pittsburgh which is dedicated to helping children with disabilities live life to the fullest through a focus on mobility, communication and social inclusion.
Due to physical limitations, challenges with balance or steering, or simply not feeling safe enough to ride, many children with disabilities are not able to ride a two wheeled bicycle. An adaptive bike helps to make riding a bike possible for kids with disabilities. The only obstacle here is that these individually customized adaptive bikes are very expensive, and for many families, it is not something that is completely out of reach for them.
Due to physical limitations, challenges with balance or steering, or simply not feeling safe enough to ride, many children with disabilities are not able to ride a two wheeled bicycle. An adaptive bike helps to make riding a bike possible for kids with disabilities. The only obstacle here is that these individually customized adaptive bikes are very expensive, and for many families, it is not something that is completely out of reach for them.
Dr. Gregory Koons, of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 is working with the local business community to raise $9,000 toward the purchase of 5 adaptive bicycles donated to children. Donations have been received from the Schuylkill County United Labor Council in the Amount of $2650, the United Steel Workers Union in the amount of $2300, the Herman Yudacufsky Charitable Fund in the amount of $1800 as well as unspecified donations from R & R Auto and Bob Weaver Chevrolet.
Anyone interested in donating to the “My Bike” project may contact Debra Arnold at (570) 544-9131 ext 1211.
For more information about Variety, please www.varietypittsburgh.org
Anyone interested in donating to the “My Bike” project may contact Debra Arnold at (570) 544-9131 ext 1211.
For more information about Variety, please www.varietypittsburgh.org
Pictured from left to right: Front Row: Charlie De Valley, Executive Director of Variety. Second Row: Liz Bettinger, Staff Representative for USW; Tony Boyle CWA Local 13,000; Brian Symons, SCIU Healthcare of PA; Dwayne Heisler, SCIU Healthcare of PA; Anne Kurtek, USW 719; Debra Arnold, Special Education Director IU29.