SMETHPORT — Variety the Children’s Charity partnered once again with Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 and Blackburn’s on Tuesday to present three adaptive bikes and three adaptive strollers to local kids with disabilities and their families.

The equipment was generously sponsored by The Stackpole-Hall Foundation (three bikes and one stroller) and the NiSource Charitable Foundation.

After yesterday’s presentation, Variety has now presented 178 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers or communication devices (worth more than $292,000 in equipment) to local youth in Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties — IU9’s service area.

“The one-hour presentation was a time of safety, empowerment and hope,” Variety representatives said, “as we heard family testimony first-hand on what the equipment means and then cheered on the kids as they tested out their new bikes and strollers for the first time.”

Two McKean County children, Leah Johnson and Weston Telford, both 4 and from Bradford, received their own adaptive strollers and both were then fitted for their own adaptive bikes immediately afterward.

“Parents constantly share that the equipment is not only changing their child’s whole life, but receiving the equipment gives families hope for the future,” officials said.

Johnson’s physical therapist said “An adaptive stroller will increase her frequency of activities in the community. Leah is unable to walk without the use of a walker; therefore, she must be carried or use a stroller for all community and family outings. Leah has outgrown her standard stroller and is becoming too heavy and strong to carry. She will benefit from a full torso support vest for safety purposes due to her tendency to elope.”

Donaven Tinder, 14, from Roulette received a second adaptive bike after growing out of his first one and his mom, Pamela Tinder, said, “Receiving a new (and larger) adaptive bike will be a huge benefit for Donaven as well as our entire family. This equipment enables us to go on family walks, outings and more.”

Four-year-old Martin Austin Jr. from Coudersport received both an adaptive bike and stroller, and his mom, Tiffany Austin, said the bike would “be so good for Martin’s motor skills, and I can push/guide him. With this bike, we can be outside more and even go on more family walks. The adaptive stroller will make life so much easier, and I won’t need to carry him around all the time. It will be simple to take Martin to and from appointments, events, etc.”

Variety is accepting new applications, and families can apply to one, two, or all three programs if they are eligible and their child can benefit, including:

• Variety’s My Bike® Program, which provides Rifton adaptive bikes (with stationary stands and Rifton accessories) to eligible children with disabilities, so they can experience the joy, freedom, and belonging that comes from riding a bike,
• Variety’s My Stroller® Program, which provides Convaid EZ Rider adaptive strollers to eligible kids to use for “on-the-go” mobility or general safety / inclusion in the community, and
• Variety’s My Voice® Program, which provides a communication device (i.e., a restricted iPad with a prescribed communication app) to eligible children with a communication disorder to give them a voice and enable them to express their thoughts, feelings, wants and needs 24/7.

Interested families can visit varietypittsburgh.org/applynow to apply or contact the Variety office directly at (724) 933-0460 or info@varietypittsburgh.org.