EAST PENNSBORO TWP., Pa. -- Eight children with disabilities in Central Pennsylvania are now able to experience riding a bike for the first time. They received custom-made bikes from a children's charity in Cumberland County.
For some of them, it's their first time ever riding a bike.
People lined the sides of the hallways at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in East Pennsboro Township and cheered as the kids rode around.
Danalynn Togans, whose child was receiving a bike, said, "I mean you want to talk about a parade of happiness and cheering, which probably made him feel so good. I mean I couldn't even believe he held onto the handlebars and pedaled down the hallway alone."
Some parents said these bikes will help their kids fit in with the rest of the family.
Kristin Brown, from Hanover, said, "He is the middle of two boys. Middle son. And he's now going to get to go out, be out with his brothers riding around."
The kids are able to get the bikes for free through Variety's "My Bike" program. For them, it's more like Christmas than Halloween.
Charlie LaVallee, the CEO of Variety, said, "So they're going to be able to ride with their brothers, their sisters, their friends, go on family outings. This is a real treat if we think of Halloween. This isn't a piece of candy, this is a bike that many of or families never thought they'd see their kids ride."
Families have to meet certain income requirements and the children have to be between the ages of 4 and 21. The bike is custom-made, and the cost to sponsor one is $1,800.
Nicole Miller, who had two children receiving a bike, said, "I'm excited. This is great for our family. It's just another avenue that we can go to normalize our very not normal life."
Parents said it's an easy process to get the bike, and the experience is worth it.
Togans said, "Usually I can't do anything with him. He doesn't like to walk by himself, he doesn't like to stand by himself, so it's very hard for me as a single parent to even take care of him alone. So with his bike, first thing that he can do, I can't even explain how happy I am."
Since the program started in 2012, more than 1,100 bikes have been give out to kids with disabilities.
If you are interested in getting a bicycle for a child with a disability, go to Variety's website.