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Jaylin Mason shows off his new bicycle as mom Loretta Triche-Kamal looks on. Former Falcon Chauncey Davis donated the bikes as part of his “Bike for L.I.F.E.” initiative.
Davis, who now plays for the Chicago Bears, gave the bikes as part of his third annual “Bike for L.I.F.E.” initiative to encourage physical fitness and combat childhood obesity and diabetes.
During the Dec. 19 event at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium in Decatur, Davis, who maintains his permanent residence in metro Atlanta, said he is dedicated to working with youth in Atlanta, Chicago and in his hometown of Auburndale, Fla.
“There is no better gift I can think of than the gift of life through promoting healthy lifestyles and exercise year-round,” he said.
Davis established his nonprofit Chauncey Davis Foundation in 2007 shortly after his mother lost a leg to complications from diabetes.
“Diabetes has totally changed my life and my mother’s life,” Davis said. “If I can expose young people to a different way of life, then their story may not have to be my mother’s story. I would consider it a big win.”
The kids who got bikes were identified by DeKalb Parks & Recreation and the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Office.
Portia Andrews of Decatur said it was a blessing that her 10-year-old granddaughter, also named Portia Andrews, got a bicycle for Christmas.
“She wouldn’t have gotten anything if she had not gotten this bike,” Andrews said.
Young Portia was ecstatic.
“I’m going to ride it around my neighborhood,” she said.
Along with the bike, the kids also got bicycle helmets signed by Davis, foundation board member and DeKalb Commissioner Lee May, and UpFront Records owner DeVyne Stephens.
Since its inception, the foundation has worked to promote health and wellness, nutrition and diabetes awareness.
For more information, visit www.chaunceydavisfoundation.org.
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