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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – On Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the IBEW (in the Southside of Pittsburgh), Variety the Children’s Charity will present the single largest number – in the United States – of customized adaptive bikes ever to children with disabilities. More than 80 children with disabilities will receive customized adaptive bikes.
“Every child deserves to have a bike and every child deserves to ride a bike with his or her friends, and to feel like they are a part of their neighborhood. These bikes give children with disabilities a taste of freedom, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to have childhood experiences and memories that we want for all of our children,” said Variety CEO, Charlie LaVallee.
Since Governor Tom Corbett and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald kicked-off the “My Bike” Program on November 5, 2012, Variety has been seeking sponsors and partners to sponsor its goal of 200 adaptive bikes by Christmas. The results of the “My Bike” Program will be announced on December 20th.
Some of Variety’s partners of the “My Bike” Program includes: Highmark, PNC, Bayer MaterialScience, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates Alumni Association, Orbital Engineering, United States Steel Corporation, Mario Lemuix Foundation.
Participating in the event are: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald; Deborah Rice-Johnson, Division President, Health Services, Executive Vice President, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Andrea Carelli, Senior Vice President, Public Relations and Special Events, PNC; and, Charlie LaVallee, Chief Executive Officer, Variety the Children’s Charity.
Children receiving the customized adaptive bikes are in 10 Southwestern Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland.
This event will be attended by approximately 350 children with disabilities, their family members, and Variety partners.
For more information on Thursday’s event, or on the My Bike program, please contact Zach Marsh at zach@varietypittsburgh.org or call 412-747-2680.
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