MAD Dads plans youth bike giveaway

Not too many things can put a smile on a child's face like a new shiny bicycle can.
Hundreds of smiles will light up the Pershing Center today, after the Young Athletes find out what's in store for them.
M.A.D Dads (Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) will surprise about 120 children ages 2-9 with bicycles following the Young Athletes demonstration at the Pershing Center today.
"You won't be able to buy the smiles the kids will have on their faces," said Rev. Don Coleman, president of M.A.D. Dads.
M.A.D. Dads will also give bicycles to schools participating in Project UNIFY. Seventy-eight schools are currently signed up to receive six to eight bicycles, and only schools will receive the bicycles made for children who cannot ride a bicycle alone or need more than training wheels for support -- "specialty bikes," as referred to by M.A.D. Dads.
"I think it's gonna be a great morning," manager of Young Athletes and Project UNIFY, Laura Strathe said.
Coleman and his team have been planning and preparing the bicycles for four months. M.A.D. Dads prepared about 160 bicycles including six specialty bikes, split amongst schools so students with motor or sensory impairments such as paraplegia can ride the bicycles during physical education or recess.
The specialty bikes include three-wheeled, side-by-side and paraplegic bicycles, Coleman said.  
"All the bikes have been donated to us... all the bikes came from the community," he said.
Strathe said a great relationship among all programs involved has developed. The community-like event will certainly bring a lot of emotions as the entire Special Olympics will.
"Lots of people will probably tear up," Strathe said, predicting the attendees' reactions. "Every kid deserves a bike."
tanikacooper@dailynebraskan.com