Screams of excitement echoed in the gymnasium at the YWCA of Gary on Tuesday as 25 of its youth entered to find rows of bikes waiting for them.

The youngsters searched the rows of bikes for one bearing their name and then quickly took off riding circles around the gymnasium to give their new bikes a try.

“I got shocked and happy,” Andrea Davis, 7, said describing how she felt finding the bike with her name on it. She excitedly hopped on and rode away.

The fourth annual giveaway was organized by Marquel Watkins, community liaison chairman for United Steelworkers Local 1014 and provided more than 150 bikes to four organizations including the YWCA, Village of Hope, the Crisis Center and the Gary Community School Corp.

“I never got a new bike when I was little,” Watkins said.

He decided to use the resources of his fellow steelworkers — and anybody willing to contribute including politicians such as state Reps. Earl Harris Jr., and Ragen Hatcher — to make it happen.

He said the bike giveaway was even more important this year during such tough financial times for so many due to the pandemic.

“It’s wonderful. For a lot of kids this might be the only gift they have this Christmas,” he said. ”It’s just awesome.”

The youth in the room appeared to agree as zoomed around the gymnasium on their new bicycles.

“I love the strings,” Tamia Mabone, 6, said, referring to the sparkly tassels streaming from the bikes handlebars. Tamia said she could not believe her eyes when she entered the gymnasium from the holiday party the YWCA was having for the students in an adjoining room. “We really got a new bike,” she asked.

Caren Jones, executive director of the YWCA, said the bikes were a surprise for the students.

“They think they are just having a regular party,” Jones said. The students ages 4 to 12 were being treated to a special holiday lunch and goodie bags.

“It’s a surprise,” Jone said, adding she was looking forward to the students’ reactions.

“I’m excited to see them excited,” Jones said.

The gymnasium echoed with laughter and happy chatter. Reshod Moore, 8, was speeding around the gymnasium on his new bike. The gift was a happy surprise.

“I thought like whoa. I couldn’t believe it,” Reshod said.

Kyle Mabone, 7, was excited about his fire-themed new bicycle, a gift he said he really wanted.

Riding the shiny new bike made him “think I’m going on fire when I go fast. I love it.”

Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.