Tag: Highmark
“My Bike” Is Opening Doors
“This bike is going to be wonderful because she stands on the porch and jumps up and down, watching all the kids go up and down the sidewalks on their bikes, and she wants to go, but there’s no bike out there for her to be able to do that.
You just don’t know how much this is going to improve her ability to do things, her ability to be around other children and play with them, and just to have fun like a child her age should and not be confined.”
-said Patricia, Destiny’s Aunt
A Two-Tacular Tuesday!
It’s a Two-Tacular Tuesday! Last night, two children’s lives were changed at Variety’s 32nd Golf Invitational that took place on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club.
Madon received his new adaptive bike & Logan received his new communication device – to cheers from event attendees.
It was with excitement that Madon rode his bike for the very first time through the crowd with his family by his side. Once he started riding, he simply did not want to stop!
Logan previously received his adaptive bike three years ago at Variety’s 2014 Golf Invitational, and he returned to this year’s event in order to receive his new communication device – his own voice.
Logan’s mom, Melissa also highlighted what her son’s new voice would mean by saying,
“Logan is a very social child and LOVES to be around other children – but his speech is hard to understand at times and limits his peer interactions. This device will make it possible for Logan’s school peers and other in the community to understand what he would like to say, provide him with independence and greater possibilities, and increase his safety, which is our biggest concern.”
Variety could not be more grateful to ALL of the sponsors & supporters that committed to making this year’s Golf Invitational possible.
A special shout out to our 2017 Title Sponsor, Highmark who continually makes it all about the kids! We are also so grateful to our Double Eagle Sponsor, BLACKBURN’S, and Eagle Sponsors, Covestro, Rob Kozel & Family, Sebring & Associates, & Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy! See a full list of sponsors and supporters by clicking here.
Bases, Bikes, & Beauty in West Virginia!
Bikes, Bases, & Beauty – A Special Evening In Morgantown, West Virginia!
On August 30th, Variety – the Children’s Charity had the opportunity to present 3 adaptive bikes to children from West Virginia at the Monongalia County Ballpark! This special presentation was made possible in partnership with the WV Black Bears and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia, who helped to sponsor the bikes.
From the smiles on the kids’ faces, to the thrill / experience of them riding their bikes for the first time around the bases, to getting to personally meet the baseball players… this was certainly a night to remember for these three amazing kids and their entire family!
We could not be more grateful to all those who help us, help these extraordinary children find freedom, joy, and belonging through their very own bike.
Variety’s “My Bike” Program Kicks Off
The day it all began…
Variety launched its “My Bike” Program during a press conference with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Monday, November 5, 2012 at PNC Park.
“What a great program to roll out that we can help make children with disabilities mobile, give them freedom, allow them to interact with other children their age who don’t have disabilities… I can’t think of a better program for that mobility and for freedom than ‘My Bike’.” -Governor Corbett at the kick off of Variety’s “My Bike” Program
At the press conference, Variety announced a goal of 200 sponsored adaptive bikes for children with disabilities by Christmas. This goal was later exceeded and Variety received 220 sponsored or pledged adaptive bikes by Christmas 2012.
Aubrey was presented with the first bike of Variety’s “My Bike” Program by Andrea Carelli, Co-Chair of Variety’s “My Bike” Program & Senior Vice President of PNC, and Governor Corbett.
“Aubrey really loves her new bike! It’s her new-found freedom! The best part is… Aubrey doesn’t want to get off! We are so very grateful for this wonderful bike!” -Jill, mother of Aubrey
“When Kody first rode his bike it was like a miracle,” said Kim, Kody’s mom. “Everybody was so amazed that Kody could do something other than be in a wheelchair. It was like he was just this typical child riding a bike with a helmet on and being a normal child.”