10 kids get custom therapeutic trikes at Benedictine in Savannah AMBUCS giveaway

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Ten local children rolled home with new wheels this weekend as Savannah AMBUCS gave away 10 custom-built AmTryke therapeutic trikes at Benedictine.

Each trike is built for one specific rider off a therapist referral, fitted with supports like laterals, hip restraints or hand pedals depending on the child’s needs.

“No two trikes are the same,” said Thomas DeGeorge, vice president of Savannah AMBUCS and head of the trike committee. “It’s very unique to each rider.”

DeGeorge said the group raises money year-round, then he and a team of volunteers build the trikes ahead of giveaway day.

“Our mission is just to inspire independence and mobility,” DeGeorge said. “You see a family come out, their brother and sister brings their bike, and then now they can ride the bike with their brother and their sister.”

Georgia Power donated two of Saturday’s trikes. Spokesperson Joshua Peacock said volunteers with the company’s Citizens group built them last week at the company’s operating headquarters.

“We got the opportunity to get some engineers at Georgia Power together, and some other folks, and we built the two bikes,” Peacock said. “To see it go from box to actual bike, and then today, to get the moment where we’re going to see some kids really light up when they see them — it’s incredible.”

For Samantha Brehm, the trike means her son James, who has outgrown the stroller, can join the family outside more often.

“This will kind of give us the opportunity to kind of get out even for just like a quick ride around the park,” Brehm said. “And exercise is good for kids, you know, let alone a kid that, you know, may get sick a little bit more often than usual.”

Brehm said their first ride will likely be to AMBUCS Park, which she called one of the few truly accessible parks in the area.

DeGeorge said giveaways are open to the public. To donate or volunteer, find Savannah AMBUCS on Facebook and Instagram or visit SavannahAMBUCS.org.