SEBASTIAN — Seventy-five youngsters anxiously awaited their turn to take to the track, riding their tricycles or bicycles – with and without training wheels – at TLC Preschool in Sebastian. Those not on the track tirelessly cheered on their classmates while four or five riders at a time took to the small parking lot, steering their chosen ride around the “track” of tike-sized chairs tied with streamers.
For TLC Preschool owner Juelie Perry, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital trike-a-thon serves as a way to teach children not only about bicycle safety but also about other children who need help – that there’s more to the world than just themselves and their families.
“Good will goes outside the doors,” Perry said, that’s where empathy and compassion start.
The previous owner of TLC Preschool, Judy Turner, started having the school participate in the annual trike-a-thon for St. Jude’s – a tradition Perry has continued.
A few years ago, the event took on special meaning when a 7-year-old student at TLC Preschool died of kidney cancer. “That child was the most amazing girl,” Perry said.
She had been diagnosed at age 4 and then it went into remission, Perry said. A couple years later, it came back, aggressively, and claimed the child quickly.
“That was a huge eye-opener for us,” Perry said. She added that there have been other children who have gone to TLC Preschool who had also been diagnosed with cancer. “That gave our drive something more.”
Before setting the children loose on the race course, Perry walked them through one more lesson on traffic and bike safety – reminding them of Stop signs as well as Go signs, and why it’s important to wear helmets – to protect their precious brains.
Helping the youngest maneuver around the track were teachers Miss Jess, Miss Patti, and Miss Judy, who held onto the trikes and encouraged the kids to turn and go in the right direction.
“This is so cool!” shouted Lainey as she made a turn on the back stretch of the track.
“It is!” responded Miss Patti.
By the end of the event, the backs of Miss Judy’s ankles were sure to be either scraped or bruised after countless run-ins with little tires.
“Ah! You ran me over!” she said to Jayda, the first to hit her ankle. Moments later, the exclamation was repeated – this time to Calia.
Both girls giggled and kept riding until the whistle blew and it was time to turn in their trikes for the next group of kids.
The preschool hopes to raise about $1,000 – in keeping with what it’s raised in previous years.
“The parents have rallied,” Perry said. “The community has rallied.”