Yisene Bayala’s smile says it all.
When the 4-year-old caught a glimpse of his new bicycle, he grinned from ear to ear. He waved his arms and walked toward his new ride.
“I see a difference in him already,” said his mom, Ellie Voyvodich-Bayala of Shaler. “He loves this bike.”
Yisene, who has cerebral palsy, receives physical therapy, and his programming offers many things to help him with his development. Through multiple resources, his mom heard about the My Bike Program.
The My Bike Program provides Rifton adaptive bikes — with stationary stands and accessories — to eligible children with disabilities.
Yisene, whose name means “God helps me,” was presented with an adaptive bicycle through the My Bike Program for Variety the Children’s Charity on April 16 at Orchard Hill Church in Franklin Park.
Variety, based in Pine, partnered with Al’s Bike Drive to give new rides to seven children from Allegheny and Butler counties.
The seven adaptive bikes, worth $17,500, were donated to the My Bike Program by funds raised through Al’s Bike Drive.
The bike guy
Al’s Bike Drive is a nonprofit that has been around for 18 years.
When Al Todd III of Hampton, a financial associate at Thrivent and managing partner at Todd Financial Associates, learned that bikes were the most requested toy for the Marines’ Toys for Tots program, he decided to start the campaign to raise money to give a bike to a child who might not otherwise have one.
During the pandemic, Todd said it was challenging to get bicycles because of supply chain problems. As he was scrolling through social media, he saw a post from Variety the Children’s Charity. He reached out and committed to donating 10 bikes in 2022.
Todd, coordinator of Al’s Bike Drive, is known as the “bike guy.”
Voyvodich-Bayala thanked Todd for the bike for her son.
Todd hopped on a bicycle for the giveaway and led the youngsters in a parade inside a building on the church grounds.
“Youngsters explore their world in a new way riding on a bicycle,” Todd said. “When I grew up, for us older people here in the room, that’s how you got around. We left for the day and got back home when the streetlights came on. It’s always been my vision to make sure all children get to experience that.”
When he initially decided to donate, Todd said he had no idea what the cost of an adaptive bike was, but he and his team found ways to raise the money. Al’s Bike Drive has donated 55 adaptive bicycles so far.
“It’s truly my honor to give those away,” Todd said. “I really need to thank my team. I have a great group of friends that I work with who really helped make this happen.”
An immediate impact
Parents constantly share that the equipment is changing their child’s life and gives families hope for the future, said Tom Baker, CEO of Variety the Children’s Charity.
Variety the Children’s Charity is a national organization, but Baker recognized his team as the best.
“I truly believe that with all my heart,” Baker said. “Presentation days are always our favorite days. We look forward to seeing all the wonderful kids on their bikes. With these bicycles, they can experience the joy, freedom and belonging that comes from riding a bike.”
Each bicycle is designed for the child’s specific needs, and the bike can be adjusted to grow with the child. Bikes also can be used as a stationary bicycle.
“This will help my son in so many ways,” Voyvodich-Bayala said as she guided him on the bike, which has a handle in the back. “This is really wonderful what they are doing here. This bike is easy to steer. He always wants to walk down the street in our neighborhood, but that is hard for him. He is going to love this bike.”
Yisene wasn’t the only one happy with a shiny, new bike.
Jonathan Flage, 12, who is autistic, was thrilled to be riding a neon green bicycle. His grandmother, Sheri Flage of Ross, said the new bike is “awesome.”
She heard about the giveaway through her grandson’s service coordinator. Flage said she loves that it can be a stationary bike.
“He’s excited,” his grandmother said. “He is having fun, and it’s good exercise for him, too. He has been training on a stationary bike with a physical therapist. He always likes to go outside and will now be able to ride this bike outside. He will definitely get use out of it.”
The My Bike Program launched in November 2012 with the goal to dramatically increase the organization’s impact, visibility, credibility and engagement in the community, Baker said.
What My Bike has demonstrated is that when the needs of children with disabilities are prioritized, it is possible to meet something so fundamental to childhood as ensuring that all kids can ride a bike — regardless of their disability, Baker said.
In 2014, Variety the Children’s Charity expanded to include the My Stroller Program, which provides Convaid EZ Rider adaptive strollers, and the My Voice Program for communication devices.
Variety the Children’s Charity collaborated with Blackburn’s, a medical equipment supply company based in Tarentum to help show families the details of the bikes and how to break them down to get them into a vehicle for transport.
Jeff Rukas, principal and president of Blackburn’s, took part in the presentation. He began by telling everyone to always make sure the brake is engaged before getting on or off the bike.
Jeremy Venanzi, Blackburn’s medical and surgical liaison, demonstrated how to dismantle the bike for transport so it fits in pretty much any vehicle.
Blackburn’s also assists with the My Stroller Program. They ensure each child safely fits in their new equipment. They also transport the bikes and strollers to every mobility presentation and can drop off equipment for families.
“Todd and his team have huge hearts,” Rukas said.
Baker said they couldn’t do what they do without Todd and his team.
“We always say Al is the cobalt blue Santa of Christmastime for the kids,” Baker said. “Al’s bike drive and Variety have been together for five years now. He brings joy to all the children.”
The feeling is mutual.
“In your walk in life, you meet people and there are certain people who just have a love of what they do for their job, for others,” Todd said. “Tom (Baker) is that person. He gives you that positivity, and it is great to be around him.”
Since 2012, Variety the Children’s Charity has presented more than 2,013 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers or communication devices — worth more than $3 million — to youths in Allegheny and Butler counties.
With Variety the Children’s Charity serving children and families throughout 59 counties in Pennsylvania, the organization is constantly raising funds to provide the adaptive bikes through foundations, corporations, community groups, organized labor and individuals.
Core childhood memory
The importance of a first bike is that it creates a core childhood memory, said Deanna David, director of programs for Variety the Children’s Charity.
David said the first time riding a bike is a relationship builder and something family members can do together. She said one of the mothers shared with her that these bikes give children freedom.
“They get to experience new places from going to a park to riding on a trail,” David said. “They are out in their community making friends. They are no longer watching from the sidelines. We get so many videos from families of that first bike ride. That first time pedaling by themselves along with their siblings, riding around the neighborhood, radiating joy and building confidence and independence, and especially seeing the big smiles on their faces and hearing the giggling. I love the giggling.”
There was a lot of giggling from the children — and their family members — during the first ride.
To learn more, visit http://varietypittsburgh.org.