Seeing this boy take off will make your day

He was born premature, and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Despite several surgeries, riding a traditional bike has been a real challenge for Josh Snyder, 12, of Desert Hot Springs. That’s why when Variety the Children’s Charity of the Desert officially handed over his new adapted bike Wednesday in Palm Desert, Snyder couldn’t stop grinning. “Thank you!” he exclaimed! The adaptive bike is customized to help with his physical disabilities, and allows his to ride alongside his sister for the first time. “It was exciting,” said Snyder. “I was, my brain was spinning when my mom told me I was on (the) ‘A’ list for getting the bike.” Snyder and his father plan to ride in the Tour de Palm Springs in January 2017. Each adaptive bike cost $3,500. Twenty children from the Coachella Valley are currently on the waiting list to receive one. Variety chose Wednesday for the official bicycle hand-off to cap off a massive two day fundraiser. Funds raised during Variety’s Care for Kids Radiothon with KPLM The Big106 will go toward purchasing the bicycles for children with special needs, and for those low income households. Donations will continue to be collected Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. at Bar in Palm Springs (340 N. Palm Canyon Drive) where the charity will celebrate a “successful conclusion” of their 21st annual radiothon. Executive Director Becky Moreno said the radiothon aimed to raise enough money to provide bicycles and helmets to 489 fourth graders in the Coachella Valley who had been nominated by their teachers as “good citizens.” “Only 300 students will be able to get bicycles unless we receive more donations,” said Moreno. Donations can also be made to Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Desert, 74-040 Highway 111, Suite L-231, Palm Desert, CA 92260