Bicycle clubs join with Wildwood community to brighten Christmas for needy children

Members of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, the Florida PANTHERS Tandem Club and The Village Bicycle Club joined with the Wildwood Police Department and Wildwood Elementary School to organize a giveaway of about 30 children’s bikes.

Dave Lawrence, of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, holds one of the children who attended Saturday’s event.

All of the close to 100 children in attendance received new bike helmets that were donated by the Florida Department of Transportation. And the lucky winners of several drawings received new, appropriately sized bicycles.

The bicycles, which were provided at cost by Mark and Windy Hall of Village Cycles, were paid for through donations from many different Villagers and groups.

A young rider is all smiles and ready to go on his new bicycle.

Diana Mirkin, a well-known tandem rider who enjoys bicycling with her husband, Gabe, a physician, said there were a lot of unknowns going into Saturday’s event.

“This was our first bike giveaway in Wildwood but things went well and everyone enjoyed the smiles on the faces of the children, parents and grandparents,” she said.

Holly Dates, president of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, fits one of the young participants with a new helmet.

Two of the children at Saturday’s bike giveaway were having a great time on their new rides.

Mirkin offered thanks to a variety of people and organizations for making the event a huge success, including the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club and its president, Holly Dates, and the Florida PANTHERS Tandem Club and its president, Bob Thompson. She also offered praise for officers from the Wildwood Police Department; Principal John Temple and teachers/staff from Wildwood Elementary; Lucy Gonzales who drove from Tampa to participate and provided carry bags and safety handouts; and Villagers Bob and Connie McGee, Adrian and Pat Brown, and Bob and Rose Jordan.

“Their kindness and generosity brought happiness and joy to many families and children this Christmas season,” she said. “We are truly blessed to have these families as friends and neighbors.”

Mirkin added that there were many touching stories that emerged from the event, but one relayed by Thompson stood out.

“One young man offered to give his winning bike back so someone (needier) could have a chance to win it,” she said. “Wow! Helping others is what life is all about and it is heart-warming to see a young person recognize it at an early age.”