Teenager's Avery Project Delivers 250 Bikes, Boosts Community Health

On December 20 the Avery Project hosted its sixth annual Bike Giveaway at the Shadow Mountain feed lot, distributing dozens of bikes and helmets to children and families from across Nye County. The event capped a busy year of outreach that also included support for the Positive Pahrump Toy Drive and a raffle of more than 50 bikes at the Winter Wonder Slam. In 2025 the Sampson family effort placed about 250 bicycles into community hands, and overall donations since the program began are now nearing 1,000.

The project traces back to 2020 when Avery, then eight years old, earned her first title with the Nevada Cinderella Girls program and turned a personal setback into public good after her own bike was stolen. What began as Bikes for Christmas evolved into the Avery Project, a youth led initiative that has drawn support from local businesses, nonprofit volunteers, and civic groups. Community partners at the Dec. 20 giveaway included Shadow Mountain feed, the Nye County Cinderella program, VeloBazaar and several small food and beverage donors who provided treats and warm drinks for families.

"This is always so much fun!" Avery raved once the 6th Annual Bike Giveaway came to a close. "All the smiles and so many happy kids got new bikes and helmets today. I have to thank Shadow Mountain feed for letting us take over the feed lot and Emily Cross Smith and the Nye County Cinderella program for helping, Steve Clausse from VeloBazaar, Pinkbox Doughnuts for supplying a ton of donuts, Pizza Hut for feeding some yummy pizza to the kids, Our Place Coffee for stepping up at the last minute to save the day with coffee and hot chocolate for the families this morning and Santa and Mrs. Claus for coming out."

The health implications are immediate and measurable. Increased active transport and play reduce sedentary time and support cardiovascular fitness and mental wellbeing in children. Helmet distribution at giveaways addresses injury prevention, a core public health priority. The project also reduces economic barriers to recreation and mobility for low income families, strengthening social equity in a county with limited youth resources.

"What an amazing year with the Avery Project," Scott Sampson, Avery's father, raved. "As a dad, I loved helping Avery reach her goals this year!"

Sustaining and expanding these gains will require continued cross sector support. Local policymakers and school leaders can amplify impact by coordinating bike safety education, safe routes projects and ongoing funding for youth initiatives that connect recreation, health and transportation equity. For now the Avery Project stands as a grassroots model of how a single young leader can marshal community goodwill into concrete public health benefits.