Learning how to ride his bike was a great achievement for 14-year-old Cody Passmore.
However, just as this Clarkston youth grasped the skill, he was faced with a disturbing reality ? Cody’s bike was stolen off the front porch of his home on May 22.
‘He came to school on Monday and he didn’t look like himself,? said eighth grade Sashabaw Middle School teacher Kim Prentice. ‘He told me his bike was stolen and he looked like his world was going to end.?
Prentice said the SMS faculty felt terrible about Cody’s situation.
‘Cody is such an amazing kid,? said Prentice. ‘We just wanted to help him out.?
Through a conversation with Rick Detkowski of Clarkston Paving, Prentice arranged a new bike for Cody ? Clarkston Paving teamed with Kinetic Systems Inc. to bring sunshine back in Cody’s world.
‘When I heard about this, I just felt like I could help,? said Louise Kasl, owner of Kinetic Systems Inc. ‘Rick paid for part of the bike and I took care of the rest.?
On May 25, Cody received his surprise.
‘I told him that we were going to tour the new junior high,? said SMS Assistant Principal Glen Gualtieri. ‘So I tricked him.?
Gualtieri tried hard to assure Cody had no idea. He even went as far as driving Cody around looking for his bike.
‘I asked Cody if he wanted to go to the bike store before the tour, and he said ‘I don’t even want to talk about bikes.??
Eventually, the secret was revealed when Cody walked through the doors of Kinetics Systems Inc., only to be greeted by Rick Detkowski, Louise Kasl and his new mountain bike.
‘I am so happy,? shouted Cody.
‘His reaction was absolutely priceless,? said Gualtieri. ‘He was shell-shocked.?
The bike was made to specially fit Cody. In the end, his day of sorrow turned into an unforgettable moment.
‘We would like to thank the Clarkston community, Clarkston Paving and Kinetic Systems Inc. for their support,? said Gualtieri.