Pine-based Variety provides adaptive bikes, strollers to families at no cost

The parade involved simply turning a couple of corners inside a Robinson Township building.

But to its young participants, it may as well have taken place along 34th Street on Thanksgiving.

Thanks to Variety — the Children’s Charity, based regionally in Pine, six children had the opportunity to navigate their own adaptive bikes for the first time.

“Some of you may have been waiting a while for these bikes, because we had to pause for a while, and I thank you for your patience and your kindness,” Variety director of programs Deanna David said Jan. 22 during a presentation of the specialized equipment to families of children with disabilities. “But these bikes are amazing and they’re going to be worth it, and I cannot wait to see your kiddo ride.”

And ride they did, around the first floor of a building at the North American headquarters of Covestro LLC, formerly Bayer MaterialScience. Leading the way was an enthusiastic Samir Hifri, Covestro chairman and president.

“We have a long, rich history of participating in the community where we operate,” Hifri said, “and Variety is one of the organizations that we’ve been fortunate to be part of and associated with for many, many years.

“Variety says, thank you, Covestro, but it’s the other way around,” he continued. “We thank Variety for giving us the opportunity to do better, to be better and to see the smiles on the children and the parents. That’s just a very special feeling, and we’re very proud to be associated with them.”

Donations worth $56,000

Along with the bikes, Variety presented 23 adaptive strollers — equipment worth more than $56,000, at no cost to the families — in partnership with Covestro and Tarentum-based Blackburn’s Home Medical Equipment and Supplies.

“I’m going to be honest. I didn’t get it until I came to Variety and I heard from families. I did not get the importance of it,” David said about the strollers.

Then she learned that they do wonders for mobility. She gave the example of a wheelchair-bound boy whose family has a fondness for autumn activities.

“Corn mazes, the pumpkin patches: You can’t take a powered wheelchair there. You can’t get it there,” she said. “So what would happen, Joey and a parent would stay home while the rest of the family goes. The family would just split up, and Joey would not get to share in those things with them.

“They got their stroller just this past fall, and they were able to enjoy all things fall together.”

Another Variety program, called My Voice, provides touch-screen devices to children who have communication disorders.

“This has been just so important for making choices, for being able to share what they want to eat, what they want to drink, their needs,” David said.

For one recipient, the ability to communicate allows her to hold jobs at two Pittsburgh sports venues.

“She’ll use that device. She’ll talk to her managers. She’ll talk to her co-workers. Recently, her dad was able to connect that to one of the computers so that she could take orders, and she’s repeating the orders back to the customers,” David reported. “She’s working. She’s doing it, thanks to this voice.”

A first for new CEO

The adaptive bikes — tricycles, actually — are equipped with features to ensure safety for riders, and they’re manufactured with emphases on durability and ease of transport.

Variety will replace bikes with larger-sized models after four years of use, according to David.

“The fun doesn’t end once they grow up,” she said.

The equipment presentation at Covestro, which took place during four morning and afternoon sessions, marked the first Variety event for Tom Baker as CEO. He succeeds the retired Charlie LaVallee, who liked to refer to his role as “chief excitement officer.”

“He’s a trailblazer of a leader, and we’re very fortunate to have had him involved in leading the way for Variety for so many years,” Baker said.

For his part, Baker was happy to announce the latest on how many pieces equipment the nonprofit has donated through its My Bike, My Stroller and My Voice programs. To celebrate, he called four guests to the front of the presentation area and handed them numeral-shaped balloons to illustrate the total: 7,048.

Among them were young McCandless residents Georgia and Loretta, who were in attendance to see their sister, 14-year-old Penelope, receive her three-wheeler.

“Penelope was a superstar on that bike. She was on it for a whole hour when she was getting fit,” David said about the measurement-taking process. “It was awesome.”

Now, she can join family members on seasonal outings to places like North Park, and sister Loretta is looking forward to that:

“It will be fun for us to ride together.”

Families can apply for Variety — the Children’s Charity equipment programs by visiting www.varietypittsburgh.org/applynow, calling 724-933-0460 or emailing info@varietypittsburgh.org.