FORT MYERS, Fla. — A giveaway that's putting smiles on kids' faces.
The 3rd annual Grampy’s Pro-am Golf Tournament kicked-off Friday at the Fiddlesticks Country Club.
It's a yearly event that helps the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida raise funds for adaptive bicycles.
During Friday's tournament, five children received an adaptive bike.
These bikes are uniquely designed for children with disabilities who cannot ride traditional bikes.
Each bike is designed to adaptive as the child grows.
"These bicycles provide them with physical therapy, but most importantly, it allows the child to just be a child," said Jack Johannemann, the Treasures for Save the Kids Fund.
For the past three years, Grampy's Charity, Robbie’s Riders, and Save The Kids have partnered up to host this event.
One of the children who received an adaptive bicycle today was Sophia.
"Sophia was diagnosed with CFC syndrome; it's cardiofaciocutaneaous," said Emily Page, Sophia's mom.
Due to this syndrome, Page says Sophia has multiple heart defects, abnormalities in her skeletal structure, and low muscle tone.
"This bike is really going to help with her motor development and continue to get stronger," said Page.
Each child who receives one of these bikes is referred to the charities by their physical therapist.
"These bikes that we're giving away range anywhere from $4,000 to $1,500. They're made individually for each child," said Bob Risch, a board member of Grampy's Charity.
"With each bike you give away, you don't just impact the child's life, you [also] impact their siblings, you impact their parents," said Johannemann.
Risch says its thanks to sponsors like Sanibel Captiva Community Bank that they can help families, like Sophia's.
"This touched us, and as you can see today, these bikes change these kids' lives, so it was very easy for us to jump on and wholeheartedly support," said Amy McQuagge, VP of Marketing at Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
So far, about 75 kids in Southwest Florida have received one of these adaptable bikes.
