Bike giveaway honors family slain in 2008
Ryan Klaus, 9, of Washington’s West End, gets on his first-ever mountain bike with gear actions Sunday at Walmart as part of A.D.O. Bikes for Kids For Christmas event.
Piper Rowley, 8, was dressed for the occasion following a service at Laboratory Presbyterian Church Sunday morning. She picked out a “Monster High” bicycle.
Steve Maze talks to children as he hands them and their parents foam stars to stick to their favorite bike so they can take it from the store Sunday.
Steve Maze’s brother, Rodney, hands a foam star to Will Smith, saying he’ll always remember him when he sees him riding his bike “like a movie star.”
Tiffany Finley and her daughter, Myah, 6, who was feeling a bit sick Sunday, choose a pink bike for her to ride when the weather and her health get better.
Steve Maze leveraged the power of social media over just four days to raise nearly $4,000 to purchase bikes for children.
Maze wasn’t looking for donations, only names of kids who may be in need of a bike. But the Facebook post to his nearly 1,000 friends upended Maze’s expectations and turned his request for information into a stream of cash that he hopes to parlay into an annual Christmas giveaway.
“I’ve cried at least four times this past week. We were hoping to give 38 bikes away today, but the flow of donations, and leftover savings from some kids picking out cheaper, smaller bikes (Sunday), we’re going to come back Monday and give away another 10 bikes,” Maze said at Walmart in the Trinity Point shopping center, the company that hosted the event.
Maze is looking to host the “A.D.O. Bikes for Kids for Christmas” event annually in honor of his daughter and two grandchildren – Ashley Guarino, 22; Dreux, 2; and Orlando Jr., 11 months – who were murdered in 2008 by Orlando Guarino, the estranged husband of his daughter. Guarino is serving life in prison.
In 2013, Maze raised thousands of dollars to renovate the Seventh Ward playground using the A.D.O. designation, but vandalism, graffiti and city council politics prevented him from moving forward.
“That’s water under the bridge now. So we had about $1,000 left over, and that’s what we started from in this drive. We’re already planning to start this up again in May for next year,” said Maze, of Canton Township.
Some of the recipients would’ve benefited from Maze’s park efforts, but were happy to have their bikes, pedal underfoot, like Ryan Klaus – no relation to Santa – of Washington’s West End.
“I’m excited. I found out Friday I was picked to get one,” said Klaus, 9.
“I’m a little worried about him shifting gears,” said Klaus’s dad, Guy, “but he’ll be alright. Training wheels; now shifting.”
Dozens of kids and their parents lined up to get a foam star to put on their favorite bike. Steve’s brother, Rodney, joked with kids as they waited in line.
“Here you go, Will Smith. I’ll remember you when you’re riding around the neighborhood like a movie star,” Rodney said.
Piper Rowley, 8, of North Franklin Township, was coming from a church service in Laboratory. She was dressed in a red robe suit akin to one worn by Mrs. Klaus, and had no trouble finding her favorite – a “Monster High” cartoon-decorated bicycle – her first since she was 4.
Other kids were a bit shy, but still shared their reasons for picking a favorite. For Myah Finley, 6, the pink bike her mom, Tiffany, pulled down from the rack was a matter of color.
“Pink is my favorite,” Myah said, saying she was feeling a little sick Sunday.
“I’m so grateful for people like Steve,” Tiffany said, “and it really helps out especially when you have four kids to worry about. Myah will get up on her bike when she’s feeling better.”
Even after the event, Steve’s Facebook page started receiving well-wishes, more commitments for future donations and notes of gratitude.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Steve, for my son’s new bike. Your event is such a blessing. You made a lot of kids very happy. Bless you and merry Christmas,” wrote Lori Korte.
Donations for the next drive can be made through PayPal with the email address straightball2006@yahoo.com and checks can be sent to: Ashley A. Guarino Trust Fund, First Commonwealth Bank, 10 Trinity Place, Washington, PA 15301.