Five children receive new bikes at annual ceremony
LANCASTER — Five girls and boys got an early Christmas present when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies, City of Lancaster community safety officers and a slim Santa rocking a swanky long red velvet coat presented bicycles and safety helmets to the youngsters who attended the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Tuesday evening outside Lancaster City Hall.
The bicycles were presented to winners of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Boosters Children’s Bike Giveaway. Bicycle recipients included Felipe Medina, Payton Yarbrough, Alexya Lewis and Laniyah Jones. Ten children between the ages of 7 and 10 were selected for the bicycles. Not all of the children could attend the ceremony.
Alexya, 10, who received a shiny purple bicycle, was excited about receiving it. She had a big smile on her face from the moment her name was called.
Laniyah, 10, was also excited about receiving a bike. Both girls gave a resounding yes when asked if they liked their new bicycles.
“She didn’t know about it,” said Miranda Yarbrough, Payton’s mother. “Where we live, we have a sidewalk now. … It helps having the sidewalks.”
“Tonight, as we illuminate this tree, let us remember the warmth of community and the magic of this event,” said Councilwoman Lauren Hughes-Leslie, who served as master of ceremonies. “Let us embrace the joy of community and being together and finally, let the light serve as a symbol and hope and unity in this joyous season.”
Mayor R. Rex Parris declared the annual event, which precedes the City Council’s December meeting, his “favorite council meeting.”
“Because this is when we give the kids bikes,” Parris said.
Parris credited Vice Mayor Mar
vin Crist, president of the AV Sheriff’s Boosters, with starting the bicycle program 12 years ago. Deputies put the bicycles together and present them to the children from the city’s community houses. This year was slightly different with the addition of the Lancaster Police Department, so the city’s community safety officers joined in the fun.
“That means thousands, thousands, of kids got bikes because of what he did,” Parris said. “I’m really proud of the city for doing this; I’m proud of all the people that come together and make it happen and I’m especially proud of the Sheriff’s Boosters. You know, we’ve got the most active sheriff’s booster program, I think, in the country. Do you know of any other booster program that does what they do? It’s truly remarkable.”
Crist declined to take credit for something Parris started.
“He gave me $500, told me to buy 500 bikes,” he joked. “With that, we bought as many bikes as we could.”
Deputies from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station put the bikes together and gave them away to children at each of the city’s community houses. Another 311 bicycles will be distributed Saturday at the Antelope Valley Transit Authority Holiday Drive-Thru and Toy Giveaway.
“For me, seeing the smiles on all these young children’s faces is amazing and lightens my heart,” Lancaster Sheriff’s Station co-captain Paul Bartlett said. “Now that you all have your bikes, I want to make sure that now you’re all going to wear your helmets. Helmets are important; they’re going to keep you safe, and if you need help putting that helmet on, I’ll be right here.”
After the bicycle giveaway, Felipe and Payton helped Parris light the city’s Christmas tree.