• Third consecutive year of bike drive by 433rd Airlift Wing • 63 bikes donated this year by Alamo Wing Airmen • San Antonio Boys & Girls Club members recieve bikes based on need, character and participation • Homeless parent thankful
Photos
San Antonio Boys & Girls Club youths, with assistance from 433rd Airlift Wing members, search for a new bike to own. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
Cold and excited Boys & Girls Club members brave the chilly temperatures to greet Tech Sgt. Brian Terrell,433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, as he delivers one of the 63 bikes donated by the 433rd Airlift Wing. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
Excited Boys & Girls Club members greet Tech Sgts. James Cruz and Jesse Cantu as they deliver two of the 63 bikes donated by the 433rd Airlift Wing. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
Tech Sgt. James Cruz and Master Sgt. Brian Boyd, 433rd AMXS, do some last minute maintenance on one of the 63 bikes donated by the 433rd Airlift Wing. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
Master Sgt. Robert Kane, 433rd AMXS, loads one of the 63 bikes donated by the 433rd Airlift Wing, into a Humvee. "There are going to be some happy kids," Kane said as he drove the Humvee into the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club and saw the members lined up outside. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
Master Sgt. Jesse Lopez, 433rd AMXS, helps Boys & Girls Club member Emily Diaz, 6, selects one of 63 bikes donated by the 433rd Airlift Wing. For the third consecutive year, the Alamo Wing Top Three gathered bikes and safety equipment to donate to children in need. Youth were selected on the basis of participation, behavior, and grades by Boys & Girls Club staff members from branches throughtout San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)
12/29/2011 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For the third consecutive year, 433rd Airlift Wing members have made some needy and deserving children in San Antonio happy at Christmas time.
Alamo Wing Airmen donated 63 bikes to members of the San Antonio Boys & Girls Clubs Dec. 23. "Airmen from every squadron of the 433rd Airlift Wing donated cash to purchase the bicycles and helmets," said Master Sgt. Judith Gutierrez, one of the donation drive coordinators.
"We are like their Santa Claus," Master Sgt. Jesse Lopez, one of the bike donation coordinators from the Alamo Wing Top Three, said. "This is the only gift some of these kids will be getting this year" he said.
The Airmen arrived at the Calderon Branch of the San Antonio Boys & Girls Clubs in Air Force trucks, and Humvees filled with colorful bikes for boys and girls. Children braved the cold and wind, and lined the sidewalks leading into the club on the city's west side, and excitedly pointed at the bikes as Alamo Wing members rolled them into the gym.
Once all the bikes were inside, the children were seated by age groups. Alamo Wing members were paired up with children, and then took them to select their gift.
One of the first to get a bike was an excited eight year old Padance Maldonado. "This is my first bike. I'm happy. I picked my bike because of the pretty fringes and colors. I liked the bag on the front too," she said.
"This is huge, really, really huge. These are the kids that don't go into a Wal-Mart and say 'I want that'," said Angie Mock, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. Staff members chose recipients based on club participation and character "and of course need," Mock said.
The 433rd has donated over 100 bikes the previous two Christmases to needy children in the San Antonio area. "This is a good way to give back to the community, it's a good way to help those that might be in need," Gutierrez said.
One of those in "need," was a parent who could be seen wiping away her tears throughout the event. "Right now I am homeless, and my two boys are not expecting this gift at all," said Matilda Garcia. "I am thankful they are getting something. I thank God for it. Right now I can't give them anything," she said.
"Our dedication to support our community during this time of year will make an impression on their lives," Lopez said.
