Santa Surprises St. Clair Shores Kids With Bikes

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — Santa and a few of his elves made a special early delivery in St. Clair Shores and surprised 13 children ranging in age from 8 to 17 with new bikes on Dec. 18. It was all part of the Optimist Club's yearly community initiative to donate bikes to deserving St. Clair Shores kids.

Lakeview High School English teacher Matt Barranca organized the Christmas event and played Santa, as the official big guy is doing final prep work at the North Pole. Barraca told Patc, "I've been involved in the bike delivery for five years as a helper. It was great to finally be promoted."

The Optimist Club bought the bikes and worked with social workers and counseling departments in St. Clair Shores schools to choose the bike recipients. Then, Barranca set up the special deliveries with parents so the kids would be home when Santa showed up at the front door. Barranca shares, "There were some pretty amazing moments with kids that ran out of the house with just socks on, and it was really cold that day. It didn't matter. They wanted to get on that bike right away. We had gifts for other kids in each house who weren't getting a bike, so everyone got something."

Rachel, a St. Clair Shores mother, told Patch her three children were left speechless by Santa's visit, "I have a 9-year-old son, 10-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. They were playing upstairs and I just called them down like any other request from mom and they were all standing in the driveway wondering what the heck was going on. I don't think any of them knew what to say or do. My 2-year-old niece was over and seeing Santa just made her life. Now I'm probably the coolest aunt ever."

Rachel explained that the bikes are more than just a fun ride for her kids, they'll actually be life-changing for her whole family, "The social worker at school nominated us because I'm blind. We're not really able to transport our kids back and forth to school anymore. As much as the kids love the bikes as an extracurricular activity, it will also help them get around on their own. They have different trials and tribulations than most children."

Despite the snowfall and icy temperatures, Rachel's children have already had a blast cruising around on the bikes and are taking extra care of their new wheels as they don't want to damage them in the snow.

Photos courtesy of Matt Barranca