INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier in December, Erin Edds thought she had bought the perfect gift for her son, Levi.
Edds had found a yellow bicycle for sale from a local seller near Bishop Chatard High School. Edds, who lives in Broad Ripple, ventured to pick up the bike when both her and the seller noticed it had gone missing.
The bike had been stolen right from the seller's yard.
Edds said she wanted to get Levi the bike because he is on the autism spectrum and hoped a form of transportation would help him gain independence.
Both Edds and the seller tried to spread the word of the stolen bike in hopes that it would be returned.
After days of waiting and hoping for a lead on where the bicycle could have gone, Edds finally got some good news.
Thanks to help and donations from the community, not only was Levi gifted the stolen bike, he also received a brand-new, custom-made bike from an anonymous donor.
"I did meet the couple. They asked to remain anonymous," Edds said. "They were exceptionally generous in making sure we could get a bike that best fit his needs."
Levi received multiple different donated bikes that he no longer needs, thanks to the generosity of the community. Edds said the extra bikes are being donated to people with physical challenges.