3/10/2008 9:22:00 PM Harkins Theatres helps make a family's dream come true
Courtesy
Special to the Courier
The Children's Charity and Harkins Theatres presented 9-year-old Humboldt resident Abbigale "Abby" Price with her very own custom-outfitted adaptive bicycle on Saturday. The special bike gives her the ability to become more physically active, confident, independent, and included among activities with her parents, sisters and friends.
Abby is Arizona's first beneficiary of the Variety Kids on the Go mobility program, which provides much-needed money for durable medical equipment for children with disabilities.
"We are proud to participate in the Gold Heart Pin campaign with Variety - The Children's Charity, and even prouder that our efforts will help Abby and her family," says Dan Harkins, owner and CEO of Harkins Theatres. "In the past several years alone, Harkins has helped raise more than $40,000 for Variety - The Children's Charity, and we look forward to more success stories in Arizona."
While attending intensive physical therapy in the fall, Abby's therapist saw that the specially adaptive bicycle improved her leg strength and endurance, but the cost of supporting a family of six and paying for Abby's therapy out of pocket meant getting the bike was impossible for her family. When Variety heard about the family's need, the charity approved grant money for Abby.
To garner funds for Variety Kids on the Go and other Variety initiatives, Harkins Theatres throughout Arizona participated in Variety's 18-year-old signature fundraiser, the Gold Heart Pin Campaign.
Two dollar collectible pins they designed in partnership with major movie studios are available at approximately 2,000 movie theaters across the country, with money going back to help local children in the community where they raised the money.
