photo by: Emma Delk

Central Elementary School third grader Jax Hamann, left, and his mother Andrea Hamann, right, pose with his new bicycle provided by the Warlords Motorcycle Club’s “Bikers for Bikes” program.

GLEN DALE — Sixteen Marshall County Schools students received a new set of wheels courtesy of the Warlords Motorcycle Club’s “Bikers for Bikes” program.

Warlords members gathered at the John Marshall Fieldhouse on Sunday to hand out brand-new bicycles and helmets to McNinch Primary School second graders and Central Elementary School third graders selected to participate in the program.

Parents filled out an application for the program, and 16 children were selected to receive a new bicycle.

Warlords President Ronald Lee Galentine said the group planned to make the bicycle giveaway an annual event, with bicycles given to Marshall County Schools students on the first Sunday of every December.

“We’ve done smaller giveaways like this in the shadows, but this was our first big, public event we’ve held,” Galentine said.

Donations from the Warlords, community members and local businesses funded the bicycles. Sponsors include 1601 Custom Tattooing, Shine Bespoke Piercing, Domino’s Pizza, BET Armory, Stub’s Homeplate, Coffee House Cafe, Last Chance Saloon, Wheelcraft Bicycles, The Bee’s T’s, Greg’s Market, Tammy’s Lawn Care and DJ Johnny Z.

“Members donated out of the kindness of our hearts, but we really couldn’t have done this without community support,” Galentine noted.

As a Cameron native who grew up biking around Moundsville as his main form of transportation, Galentine stressed the importance of children having transportation to visit with friends.

“When I grew up in Cameron and then Moundsville, the bike was your main transportation,” Galentine said. “You can bike to see friends and spend time with your family. I’ve seen many kids not have that resource, so we want to unite the community to give that to some children.”

Galentine added some children would receive their first bike through the giveaway on Sunday.

“Many of these children have never had a bike before, and I’m not trying to steal the thunder from their parents, but if we can help them get that first bike, we’re more than happy to do this,” Galentine said.

Central Elementary School third grader Jax Hamann received his third bicycle through the giveaway. Jax Hamann’s mother, Andrea Hamann, said the new bicycle was needed, as his last bike had endured a lot of “wear and tear.”

“He’s a little rough on everything, I’m surprised he found a pair of jeans without holes in them today,” Andrea Hamann joked. “He would bike at least three times a week before this frigid weather, so the new bike will get used a lot.”

Andrea Hamann said she decided to apply for the program because of his son’s love for biking.

“He’s one of those kids that, as soon as you took the training wheels off the first bike, he was gone,” Andrea Hamann said. “We try to make sure he doesn’t go too far from our house, but he’s pretty good at biking, so there’s not too much to worry about.”

Jax Hamann noted he could bike up to four blocks from his house to visit friends and was excited to show them his new bicycle. Andrea Hamann added that the program was “wonderful” for its community outreach.

“Fortunately, my children have had bikes before, but not every child has,” Andrea Hamann said. “We definitely appreciate it, and it’s very beneficial for our community.”

Galentine said the group planned to continue its work in the community and was working on their next event to benefit local veterans. He noted that “children and veterans” were the group’s main focus for outreach programs.

“If anyone sees us out and about, please come up and say ‘hi,'” Galentine added. “I know some of the guys look a little scary, but we’re all friendly as can be. We’re happy to help the community in any way we can.”