Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) welcomed families, local leaders, and organizational partners to the IU1 Central Office on Thursday July 31st for a heartwarming event in partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity. The celebration marked another milestone in an ongoing initiative to provide life-changing adaptive equipment to children with disabilities across the region.
Variety is a nonprofit organization that empowers children with disabilities by providing adaptive bikes, strollers, and communication devices at no cost through its My Bike, My Stroller, and My Voice programs. These resources promote independence, inclusion, and confidence for children and their families. Since its inception, Variety has positively impacted thousands of lives throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
At the event, six adaptive bicycles were presented to children and families from the IU1 service area. The event was made possible through the collaboration of IU1, Variety, and BLACKBURNS, along with the generous support of community partners including EQT, the Washington County Community Foundation, and Pennsylvania State Senator Pat Stefano, all of whom were in attendance.
Speakers at the event included Variety CEO Tom Baker and IU1 Assistant Executive Director Kristin Szewczyk, who both spoke to the strength of the partnership between IU1 and Variety. They highlighted the tremendous impact this collaboration has made in the Tri-County area of Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties, with over $1 million in adaptive equipment distributed to local children to date.
Following the presentation, professionals from BLACKBURNS provided guidance to families on the proper use, safety, and transportation of the new bikes. The celebration concluded with an indoor bike parade, where children had the chance to take their new wheels for a joyful first ride through the IU1 Central Office.
IU1 is honored to continue its partnership with Variety and remain part of a shared mission to build a more inclusive future for all children—one bike, one ride, and one smile at a time.
