Two Organizations Team Up to Provide Free, Custom Bikes for Children With Disabilities Throughout the Region

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (2ND District and the Buffalo Chapter: Phi Omega) will present a free, custom bike to an 8-year-old Buffalo boy with a disability, enabling him to ride shoulder to shoulder with his twin brother. The press is invited to share in the celebration. The presentation will be held at:

Saturday, July 20, 2024 – 1:00 pm Greater Works Christian Fellowship Church 10 Southampton Street Buffalo, NY 14208

Since 2017, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 2nd District and The IMAGE Center of MD (VME Program Services) have presented free, custom bikes to boys with disabilities (ages 8-15) in eight cities reaching from New York to South Carolina. Video. For many children with disabilities, a bike from a retail store lacks the features children with cognitive and physical disabilities require. Also, specialty bikes (used in special needs schools) can be costly to a family budget. Thus, many disabled children miss out on riding bikes at home during their formative years. This partnership bridges that gap and gives disabled children a chance to be part of the action, too. Each child is pre-measured by a volunteer engineer to determine proper sizing and safety features. An occupational or physical therapist supplies key medical information that is incorporated into the bike’s design. Each child (or parent) selects their bike color with a helmet for safety. At delivery, smiles and sometimes tears of joy are witnessed safety features. An occupational or physical therapist supplies key medical information that is incorporated into the bike’s design. Each child (or parent) selects their bike color with a helmet for safety. At delivery, smiles and sometimes tears of joy are witnessed.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. serves as a longstanding international brotherhood founded at Howard University in 1911. The Fraternity was built on and remains committed to 4 cardinal principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift. Community service is at the forefront of their mission. The 2nd District has taken on the leadership to cohost this bike program and is collaborating with the Buffalo Chapter for the community presentation.

VME Program Services (Volunteers for Medical Engineering) is one of 10 programs at the IMAGE Center of Maryland. VME was founded in 1982 by a mechanical engineer who wanted to use his talents to help individuals with disabilities live more independently through innovation. Volunteer engineers team up with medical professionals to fabricate custom, engineered devices. VME also mentors 125 engineering students each year across 14 campuses to encourage the importance of using their technical skills for social change.