ChristmasWithoutCancer Bike Brings Girl A Little Something Extra

Imagine a six-year old guessing within 63 coffee beans of the exact amount in a jar to win a new bike from Park Schwinn Cyclery in Evergreen Park.

Divine Intervention?

Maybe, but what put little Camila “Cami” Ruiz within striking distance was logic.

“Cami asked if we could try and count the beans from top to bottom and then across and then multiply,” said Laurie Ruiz, Cami’s mother. “The she asked me my favorite number, which is five because I was born in May.”

Some logic, some luck and “she’s been praying for a bike and her father said her prayers may get answered.” Ralph showed Father Knows Best. Brother Isaiah, 9, watched in amazement while looking at all the new, sparkling bikes.

The kindergarten student's night prayers may have been heard by St.Gerald, who indirectly led her to A Little Something Extra Bakery & Café. For some time, Laurie and the Saint Gerald Parish Mother’s Club have been conducting planning meetings at the hidden café at 4613 West 103rd in Oak Lawn.

“It’s just the cutest café and everyone likes meeting there because the food is so good, so, when I saw the Santa visit last week I brought Cami and she saw the bike and the bean jar,” said Laurie, of Oak Lawn.

Owner John DeBold was in on “the surprise” at Park Schwinn Cyclery when Cami entered the shop Saturday morning sporting a pink unicorn sweater and matching bow.

DeBold is an expert at fitting kids to bikes, so the long-time shop owner chose a red- and-white bike with training wheels that required a tiny tune up to adjust the seat and handlebars. Within minutes Cami graduated from old tricycle to two-wheel upright, peddling and steering her “first real bike” across the shiny hardwood floor toward the front door.

Little Something Extra Bakery joined annual sponsors Christmas Without Cancer, Evergreen Park United Homeowners Association, Park Schwinn Cyclery and Figel Public Relations in this annual contest that has drawn thousands of guesses and the kind of smiles exclusive to children’s faces on Christmas, especially when a bike is sitting under the tree.

“The Saturday before Christmas is busier than any day of the year,” said DeBolt. “And this year we’ll stay open until 2 in the afternoon Monday because we have so many bike pickups and purchases on Christmas Eve. It’s fun for the parents, too.

Christmas Without Cancer, an organization started by Gerri Neylon, comes to the rescue of those impacted by cancer so the family can focus on Christmas. The Evergreen Park volunteer group identifies needs and such things as utility bills and mortgage payments, gas, parking and children in need of wrapped presents.

“The bike contest is our way of saying thanks to the surrounding communities because they are so generous in helping local families,” said Neylon.

“Our mission includes assessing need and responding, but we can’t do that if we don’t have the resources that come directly from the generosity of people in Evergreen Park, Morgan Park/Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Oak Lawn.”

Neylon reasons Christmas Without Cancer has been a success because “people know their donations are helping people locally, right now” so the family can focus on the spirit in Christmas. The new location in Oak Lawn expands Christmas Without Cancer’s reach in efforts to “give back.”

For more information, visit www.ChristmasWithoutCancer.org;

littlesomethingextracafe@gmail.com. Park Schwinn Cyclery at 3333 West 95th Street in Evergreen Park will be open until 2 p.m. Monday; 708/422-6738.