Christmas came a little early to a few hundred children in Avondale Friday as a group of men from the community was happy to be the ones to play Santa, giving kids in the neighborhood a fresh pair of wheels.Two words could sum up what children in Avondale were feeling this Christmas Eve."So happy!" said Kimora Porker who received a bike.The joy of riding off on a brand new bike was well worth the wait in the line to get there that stretched around the building."It's an overjoy for a kid to get a big gift and a big gift as a bike," said Mike Ward.Ward and his brother, Rodney Summers, grew up in Avondale. For the past three years, their group of friends has partnered with Rev. Anthony Peek of Living God Church."It's just to see the smiles on the kids' faces, you know that, and the parents who couldn't originally afford this during this particular time where things have been economically hard for them," said Peek.These men say it's important for them to show up for the children in their community, not only because they care but they can relate."When me and him were little, we wanted bikes and racetracks. We just like to see that warm smile that we know we put on their faces," said Ward.Children like Jamie'on Smith couldn't stop admiring his new bike."I think that and I didn't have a kike in a little while, so I'm gonna have a nice time driving it," he said.Kimora Porker woke her mom up early to get her bike."They were overly excited. I told them yesterday that we had to be here, and they woke me up early so we could get here," said Porker's mom, Victoria.It was a first-come, first-serve event. Around 200 bikes were given away, along with coats, gloves and pizza. They hope to continue the bike giveaway in the future.
Christmas came a little early to a few hundred children in Avondale Friday as a group of men from the community was happy to be the ones to play Santa, giving kids in the neighborhood a fresh pair of wheels.
Two words could sum up what children in Avondale were feeling this Christmas Eve.
"So happy!" said Kimora Porker who received a bike.
The joy of riding off on a brand new bike was well worth the wait in the line to get there that stretched around the building.
"It's an overjoy for a kid to get a big gift and a big gift as a bike," said Mike Ward.
Ward and his brother, Rodney Summers, grew up in Avondale. For the past three years, their group of friends has partnered with Rev. Anthony Peek of Living God Church.
"It's just to see the smiles on the kids' faces, you know that, and the parents who couldn't originally afford this during this particular time where things have been economically hard for them," said Peek.
These men say it's important for them to show up for the children in their community, not only because they care but they can relate.
"When me and him were little, we wanted bikes and racetracks. We just like to see that warm smile that we know we put on their faces," said Ward.
Children like Jamie'on Smith couldn't stop admiring his new bike.
"I think that and I didn't have a kike in a little while, so I'm gonna have a nice time driving it," he said.
Kimora Porker woke her mom up early to get her bike.
"They were overly excited. I told them yesterday that we had to be here, and they woke me up early so we could get here," said Porker's mom, Victoria.
It was a first-come, first-serve event. Around 200 bikes were given away, along with coats, gloves and pizza. They hope to continue the bike giveaway in the future.
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