On Oct. 25, more than 150 community volunteers spent a Saturday afternoon assembling bikes for local kids in need. The children who received bikes came from seven partner agencies of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, which all serve children with physical and mental disabilities. The program gets at the heart of one of Variety’s goals – to give mobility to children with disabilities.

This year, Variety had the privilege of using Russell Training Center, the St. Louis Rams’ practice facility, for the bike build. Russell Training Center housed more than 250 eager children, 150 volunteers and Variety staff for this event. 

Following the build, volunteers presented each child with his or her own bicycle, helmet and fitting, bike lock, t-shirt and safety instructions. This event gave children something they thought to be unattainable, while making a memory that will last a lifetime.

"The 'Bikes for Kids' program was something that was very close to my mother's heart," said Lucia Rodriguez, owner/partner, chair of community outreach, St. Louis Rams and board member of Variety.  "My brother Chip and I are proud to continue the Rams' support of this event, which brings so much joy to not only the children receiving the bikes, but to everyone involved."

Since the program began, Variety has delivered more than 2,000 bikes to St. Louis area children (ages 5-14), thanks to sponsors, donors and volunteers. In addition to the St. Louis Rams, Bikes for Kids sponsors this year are Worldwide Technology and THF Realty. In addition, helmets for the kids were donated by Helmets First, a local organization dedicated to promoting the safety of children by providing helmets and helmet education. Z107.7 and The Beat, both Clear Channel Radio affiliates, also participated in the event. DJs Curt Copeland of Z107.7 and Dwight Stone from the Beat emceed and – along with the Rams cheerleaders – gave the children a rocking Rams welcome as they received their new bikes.