400 deserving 4th graders receive bikes from Variety the Children’s Charity of the Desert

Christmas came early for some deserving students in the Coachella Valley.

“It’s remarkable given everything that’s happened this year that we can be at Palm Springs Motors one more time this year giving out bikes to 400 students,” Heidi Maldoon, executive director for Variety Children's Charity of the Desert told News Channel 3.

On Sunday morning Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert held their annual bike giveaway for deserving students.

“It has been such an honor," Maldoon said. "We get to partner with all three school districts in our valley and we get to recognize the hard work and dedication of these students who’ve worked hard even during distance and online learning and reward them with a bike and a helmet this year,” she said.

“I think it’s awesome," one fourth grader said.

“I’ve had a bike once but I never learned how to ride it, I just had it but now that I have this I get to keep it and ride it as my own so this is very special to me,” another fourth grader, Dawn Hutchinson said.

Despite the event having to be a drive-through this year due to the pandemic, they were still able to make it special for the kids receiving bikes.

All of the students were nominated by their teachers.

“They’re also going to get a helmet curtesy of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians who sponsored our helmets this year and in addition to that they have a swag bag full of items including the California Highway Patrol put in safety brochures and information for our students so they can ride safely,” Maldoon said.

“Merry Christmas and have a good year, just try to make it as happy as you can," Hutchinson said before her and her mother drove off with her new bike.