photo by: Shelley Hanson

Amber Williams, 8, is all smiles while learning how to ride her brand new bike with help from her mother April Williams on Sunday. She and 17 other students got new bikes from the Warlords Motorcycle Club during an event at Washington Lands Elementary School.

MOUNDSVILLE — The Warlords Motorcycle Club made Christmas a little brighter for 18 children by giving them brand new bicycles on Sunday.

The club received donations and raised funds to purchase the bikes for children who are second and third-grade students at Washington Lands Elementary School and Center McMechen Elementary School. The bikes were handed over to the students during a party at Washington Lands’ gym.

In addition to the bikes, the students received pizza and bike helmets with their first names on them.

Club member Jason Bruno, also known as “Maybe,” said the club would not have been able to do the bike giveaway for a second year if not for community support.

“We’re just a small part in all of this,” Bruno said. “It’s taken business owners, friends and family, teachers, and (Marshall County Schools Superintendent) Dr. Shelby Haines was a big part of making this happen. … You need community support to make things happen like this. We’re happy to be that spark to get things rolling.”

The program is called “Bikers For Bikes.”

“It gives you a sense of freedom, your first bike, and it gives you a little responsibility,” Bruno said. “It’s about living and being outside. We want to promote kids being outside more instead of video games and everything else. … Growing up you knew where we were all at by the bicycles in the yard.”

Bruno said he and fellow club members and donors remember what it was like to get their first bikes as children and want to help provide that joy to the students.

Club President Lee Galentin, aka “Thor,” said many people reached out to the club about donating to the Bikers for Bikes.

He noted some people may not know motorcycle clubs like the Warlords do charity work for children and veterans. Galentin himself is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan.

“We’re just normal people who live a different lifestyle,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to approach us. If we’re out at a restaurant or riding, we’re more than happy to ride with anyone.”

Kimberly Brock attended the event with her 8-year-old daughter Alencyia, who was happy to be receiving a new bike.

“My favorite color is blue and I’m happy I’m getting a blue bike,” she said.

Alencyia noted she likes her teachers at Washington Lands and her favorite class is physical education.

Brock is also appreciative of the new bike for her daughter.

“I think this is a very noble thing they are doing for the community,” she said.

John Zervos, aka Johnny Z, provided music for the event.

“I love it. I think it’s great what they’re doing,” he said.

The bikes and helmets were handed out one at a time. Members of the Washington Lands Fire Department helped the students fit their helmets properly. A few of the children were brand new to riding a bike and received help doing so from their parents, club members and firefighters.

Parents filled out an application in order for their children to receive a bike.