In 2019 Adison Smith ’ s parents asked her what she wanted for Christmas . “ I couldn ’ t think of anything . I play a lot of sports and had everything I needed . So I told my dad I wanted the money to help a family .”

Her dad found a single dad , and they gave the children bikes . And her dream has grown from there .

In 2020 they decided to help two families and instead gave away almost 150 bikes to local children . For 2021 their ultimate goal was 200 bikes , but the number of people who signed their children up is about 175 . All of the bikes are donated to Smith , or money is donated and she purchases the bikes .

“ Our local Walmart will let me look in the back if they don ’ t have what I need on the floor . Everything in the back is in boxes , but we put all of the bikes together before they are picked up ,” Smith said .

This year even a 1-month-old will get a “ bike .”

“ I always ask about other kids in the family , and this mom told me about her baby . So we got one of those little seats with the handle that mom can push and he can grow into it . We ’ ve gotten little red tricycles for 1-year-olds often . We were going to cut off the age at around 16 , but I told my mom that if a 16- or 17-year-old was asking for a bike , they probably couldn ’ t afford a car and might really need one .”

Smith said they have received a few used bike donations , but

Adison Smith organized a massive bike giveaway for local children . Mr . and Mrs . Claus even stopped by .

unless the bike looks brand new , they don ’ t use it . They accept new bike donations and also monetary donations . This year the bikes were given away on Dec . 19 .

“ From noon to 3 p . m ., Santa was there for the kids to meet . Then from 3-5 p . m ., parents could pick up bikes without their children . After that , deliveries were made to a few people who had no way to haul them ,” Smith said .

Smith is a junior at River View High School and plans to continue her bike giveaway next year . “ I don ’ t know what will happen after that . I don ’ t want to give it up , but I am joining the military after graduation and won ’ t be here to help . I ’ m hoping to hand the project down to someone , but I don ’ t know who . I ’ m trying not to think about giving it up too much right now .”

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Submitted

I always ask about other kids in the family , and this mom told me about her baby . So we got one of those little seats with the handle that mom can push .”

Adison Smith

Submitted All of the bikes are donated to Adison Smith or money is donated and she purchases the bikes .

For 2021 Adison Smith ’ s ultimate goal was 200 bikes .

Submitted

The Coshocton County Beacon December 30, 2021 | Page 4

In 2019 Adison Smith ’ s parents asked her what she wanted for Christmas . “ I couldn ’ t think of anything . I play a lot of sports and had everything I needed . So I told my dad I wanted the money to help a family .”

“

I always ask about other kids in the family , and this mom told me about her baby . So we got one of those little seats with the handle that mom can push .”