PITTSTON TWP. — Pittston Area School District teachers’ union wanted to help make a difference for children with disabilities by assisting the Luzerne County Intermediate Unit 18 to raise money to purchase Rifton adaptive bicycles.
So the union held a fundraiser at the Italian Citizens Enjoyment Club on Oak Street on March 29 for the cause.
The event featured celebrity bartenders, a 50/50 drawing, and raffle baskets that included an Apple iMac computer and an ASUS computer.
“The Pittston Area Federation of Teachers Union is donating $1,800 to sponsor one bike for a Pittston Area student,” said PA faculty member Bob Bartoli.
According to Bridget Brogan, a teacher at Martin L. Mattei Middle School, the bikes are customized, allowing children who cannot ride a typical bike to ride along with friends and family.
Once the bicycle is purchased for a child, it belongs to the child for life.
“The ‘My Bike’ program tarted out in Pittsburgh for children with physical disabilities to allow them to ride bikes,” said Anthony Grieco, Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 executive director. “We thought, ‘what a great opportunity for kids that otherwise have physical disabilities that would not allow them to ride bikes.’”
If a child is selected, a bike will be customized for the needs and that child will then work with a physical therapist. The child gets the chance to pick out the color of the bike, which takes four to five weeks to manufacture.
“We have applications out for a number of kids and we are figuring we will be giving out 20 bikes this year,” Grieco said. “We are having a lot of businesses and industries and social groups stepping up and sponsoring a bike. We’ve had anonymous donors dropping off as much as $1,500 at the office.”
There are income guidelines to qualify for a free bike, Grieco warns.
The LIU 18’s goal of raising $9,000 for five bicycles has already been reached but, as Grieco stated, the program will continue to grow, aiming to get as many bikes to as many children as possible.
Charles Consagra, president of Pittston Citizens Enjoyment Club, said the club was more than happy to host the community event.
“These bicycles are upwards of $2,000 and it was a little more than what our club could donate and Jay (Guarneri, club manager) had the idea of putting a benefit on and try to raise the money and do it this way.”
“Instead of a donation, maybe we could get one, get two, get three bikes,” Guarneri said. “Our goal was one bike and we kind of threw this together in about two to three weeks, but as soon as I put it out there, the turnout was great.”
