There’s an old proverb that tells us one of life’s greatest blessings is a child’s smile. And while that may be a bit trite, it holds more than a bit of truth. I’ve experienced the joy derived from bringing happiness to another, and it’s pretty heady stuff.

One time I know I’m guaranteed to get a refill on that feeling, is at the annual PK Bike Day held at Piero’s; when the Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation distributes new bikes and helmets to hundreds of deserving kids from all across the Las Vegas Valley, chosen with cooperation from the Clark County School District and After-School All-Stars of Greater Las Vegas.

In its first ten years, the event has grown from a few supporters who ran to Toys “R” Us and Target, and bought as many bikes as could be crammed into the back of their respective SUVs or trucks; to what it is, today – with bikes being brought in-bulk to the parking lot at Piero’s, where the kids (who’ve met the guidelines set by PKYF, CCSD, and ASAS) get to walk among them, try some out for size, and choose the one they most like. Then, after picking-out their new helmets (Safety First!), they watch, as their bikes are loaded onto the U-Hauls that will be driven to their schools, on Monday.

Every year, there are a few kids who haven’t quite sunken their teeth into the concept of having a bike of their very own – let alone why this bike they’ve chosen is then being taken away. An understanding grown-up (not me, because at this point, I’m doing everything I can to hold-back tears) will then explain that the bike really is theirs, to keep; and that the bike is going to be there, after school, on Monday, for them to ride home.

This year, in addition to the usual delicious spread provided by Piero’s; there was a photo booth, a bouncy castle and slide, a jam band, a face-painter, and a petting zoo with a Capuchin Monkey, a Ring-Tailed Lemur, a Python, and this truly adorable Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig – all of which further enhanced the already radiant smiles of the children, young and old.

PK Bike Day at Piero’s
Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation
Click HERE for info

Get into it!