PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — This Christmas, children from over a dozen school districts in Northeastern Pennsylvania will put pedal to the metal with brand-new bicycles.
This bike distribution started small, according to Senator Marty Flynn, and quickly grew to numbers he never could’ve imagined.
“We started out probably 50 bikes, 100 bikes, about 12 or 13 years ago. It’s grown, 250, 500, 750,” said Senator Flynn.
But even 750 pales in comparison to the rows of bikes sitting inside the Mericle warehouse in Pittston.
“We got 2,000 bikes to give away to some of the less fortunate kids in Northeast PA,” said Senator Flynn.
Senator Flynn says each bike would normally cost around one hundred dollars each, a price tag many families just can’t afford.
To make the distribution possible, the senator partnered with a local Walmart, to get a discounted price on the bikes, along with rebates.
“Bikes give kids a sense of independence. It’s freedom for a kid to get a bike and go out on their own in the neighborhood and have fun,” explained Senator Flynn.
The senator works with local school districts to locate children in the community in need of a bike.
“The school principals go to the teachers, the teachers go to the principals, the principals go to the superintendents. I have superintendents in Santa hats showing up with U-Haul trucks to pick up bikes for their community,” explained Senator Flynn.
The bikes come in two sizes with two color variations for each size. The smaller bikes are equipped with training wheels.
Like a kid on Christmas, Senator Flynn was in awe of the brand-