The family of an incoming Bellefontaine Intermediate third-grader is grateful this week for the kindness of a local teacher and mentor, whose actions brought happiness to a once tearful situation.
Kristie Herlong said her grandson Dreyden Kinnison has been attending the Children of God camp at Mary Rutan Park this summer that is organized by Renee Price, who also is a Bellefontaine Schools physical education teacher.
“During this camp, kids from the third-grade all the way up through high school can join in on the fun playing capture the flag, kick the can, frisbee golf, play at the playground, enjoy pool days with the group. It’s just a really good time with friendship food laughter and a whole lot of fun,” Herlong said.
“That is until you get your bike vandalized.”
She said Dreyden recently learned to ride without training wheels and so he was given a brand new bike from his family.
“He loved his bike so much that the first day that he had it, he never got off of it.
“When I picked him up after him having his bike for the first day, he smiled so big and said, ‘I just love my new bike Nana. I rode it all day and my legs are tired. It was so much fun.’”
However, Friday, July 15, was a pool day for COG and the campers were encouraged to put their bikes in the bike rack that is next to the pool.
“That’s exactly what my grandson did. His mother had to pick him up that day and there is no room in her car to put the bike. He had to leave his bike on the bike rack,” Herlong explained.
Dreyden’s grandmother said on Monday back at camp, the bicycle was no longer on the bike rack. Instead, the youngster was devastated to find that it had been vandalized and thrown into a nearby creek.
“It didn’t have a seat, the handle bars were torn off, it looked like it had been run over because the brand new bike had rust spots all over, the wheels were folded in half as if in the shape of a taco. My grandson cried.”
No one wants to see a little boy cry over a bicycle, especially a brand new shiny bike that was special to him. So, Mrs. Price took it upon herself to go to the store and buy him a brand new bike. Herlong said the experience was a blessing beyond words.
“Not just any bike, but she bought him the exact same one that was vandalized. When she purchased it, it was not assembled. So she brought it back to camp and with the help of some camp counselors, she was able to assemble the bike and gift it to my grandson.
“I was told the story and when I saw the vandalized bike in person and the new bike with my smiling grandson on top, it brought me to tears. I really thought I should share what a blessing Renee Price is to this community for so many kids.”