Greensburg fundraiser tops $200K as 12 children receive adaptive equipment

Shannon Riley, who watched her 9-year-old daughter, Thora, receive an adaptive bike and stroller Sunday, said the increased access the equipment will provide is “immeasurable.”

Thora was one of 12 kids with disabilities who received adaptive equipment at Reason-To-Ride, a 28-week annual fundraiser hosted by Z&M Harley-Davidson in Greensburg. This year’s beneficiary was Variety the Children’s Charity for the second year in a row, and it was the ninth Reason-To-Ride event overall.

Riley, 36, of Irwin said her daughter attends Clairview School in Greensburg, which is how she was informed of the opportunity to be fitted for a new bike and stroller.

“It’s not just toys — this is equipment,” she said, which is just as important for the kids as someone who needs a wheelchair to move around the world. “This just allows her more access to be part of community, family, other activities that normal kids would have access to.”

Nearly 1,000 people showed up to Sunday’s event to watch the kids receive their new bikes and take them for a spin, according to Variety. There were speakers and a live auction at the event as well.

The Reason-to-Ride fundraiser began in 2016, and since then, more than 10,000 riders have raised over $200,000 for local charities, according to a release.

Attending the event was “overwhelming” for Riley because she said she didn’t expect such a large turnout.

“We just can’t go to Target, we just can’t go to Walmart and buy a bicycle or buy something that helps our child move around the world in, and so without the generosity of the people in the area … we just don’t have the ability to just take our kid to the park or to go to the store without a lot of effort and a lot of work,” she said.

In more than 12 years of serving Westmoreland County, Baker said, 446 pieces of adaptive equipment worth around $690,000 have been given to kids, which makes the community more inclusive.

“We’re just so honored to be here,” said Tom Baker, Variety CEO. “They’ve made a difference in the world today.”

Baker said Variety events aren’t usually so big.

“We’ve never seen a crowd this huge, you know, to really cheer on the kids,” said Zach Marsh, director of communications and development for Variety, even though the nonprofit has given out bikes at places like Acrisure Stadium. “This crowd and just the community here, they’ve really embraced our kids and what we’re doing, and that’s really what we need.”

Fundraising began seven months ago for the 12 bikes, which cost $2,500 each, Baker said. Two adaptive strollers were given out too, one of which the Riley family took home, he said.

Evan Buchheit showed up on Sunday to support his brother, Jacob, 28, of Carnegie, who is the ambassador for Variety.

“This is the most people I’ve ever seen come out for a Variety event,” he said. “It’s incredible.”

Buchheit, 29, of McKeesport, said his brother received one of the first adaptive bikes from Variety around 10 years ago.

“The bike gives him the opportunity to not only get out in the community and ride with friends, ride on the trails with us,” he said. “It also gives him ability to work on leg strength, core strength, to keep him doing the things that he loves to do.”

Variety will be the beneficiary of Reason-To-Ride next year as well, and Marsh said fundraising will kickoff in March, when people can purchase badges once again.

“For variety, a small nonprofit … an event like today is huge — not only for the funds that are raised for the equipment, but the awareness is massive,” he said. “Makes a difference for us, a small team.”