Volleyball club gives therapy bike to Long Beach boy with autism after first bike was stolen

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A Long Beach boy with autism can once again be happy thanks to ABC7 viewers who purchased a beach cruiser with a special seat for him to ride around in.

On Thursday, the smile from 3-year-old Lucas Simons' face was gone because someone had stolen his therapy bike equipped with a special seat.

"Things that seem ordinary can be extraordinary to certain individuals, like a little bike ride is ordinary to most kids, but it's extraordinary to this guy. He looks forward to it all day," Brad Simons said.

An Eyewitness News viewer who saw the story about the theft told Garrett Zolg and his volleyball teammates from the Huntington Beach Club. The team chipped in to buy the Simons family the new bike and seat for Lucas. They even included a bell.

"Just being able to bless him, even though he won't really recognize me right now. But looking back on it it's just a great thing to happen for this entire organization, this club, to help out a kid like this," Zolg said.

The Simons said the support from the volleyball players and the kind words from many people on social media have been overwhelming.

The cost of replacing the cruiser was never an issue for the family. They said they just wanted the thief to know that taking the bike away hurt their son more than anything. But thanks to the kindness of strangers, Lucas can once again enjoy nightly bike rides with his family.