WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — It was a day of celebration in Williamsville as West Herr Automotive Group and the Scott Beeler Family Foundation donated 10 new handcycles to the Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports organization.
The Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports organization provides opportunities for adults and children with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities to participate in sports.
Wikipedia
A group of athletes from Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports test out new handcycles donated by West Herr Automotive Group and the Scott Beeler Family Foundation. The Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports organization provides opportunities for adults and children with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities to participate in sports.
“I can’t think of anyone more generous than Scott Beeler, the West Herr Group and his foundation,” said Norm Page, president and CEO of Buffalo Adaptive Sports. “This means the world to all of them and to us at GBAS.”
The new handcycle, which is powered by the rider’s arms instead of legs, will help expand the program at GBAS, allowing athletes of all ability levels to enjoy cycling.
“It’s fantastic,” said Emily Keecher, one of the GBAS athletes who tried out a handcycle at the event. “It means a lot that people who couldn’t afford these bikes before can now get them from West Harr. It gives everyone in the whole community more flexibility.”
Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Adam Page was also at the event and knows first-hand the power of athletics, and said the new handcycle will not only benefit current GBAS athletes, but future generations as well.
“These aren’t as cheap as regular bikes,” Page said, pointing to 10 handbikes. “By having them donated, we can do more with them, inspire more people and give them the freedom to go out with their family and friends.”
Wikipedia
Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Adam Page presented a thank-you gift to West Herr Automotive Group president Scott Beeler following the group’s donation of 10 hand cycles to Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports.
Scott Beeler, president and CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, said he came up with the idea to donate the bikes when he met with a group of GBAS athletes who were participating in the Ride for Roswell for the first time.
“Seeing the joy of the people who were out riding bikes that day, I thought it wasn’t hard to decide to find a way to get more bikes,” Bieler said.
Bieler is no stranger to supporting local disability sport and hopes the donation of the new handcycles will bring smiles to athletes’ faces for years to come.
“Having bikes allows us to do activities that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, which is a great joy for the kids and for us,” Bieler said.
