Published: May 23, 2008 11:39 pm            

Nicktown couple keeps annual Bike-A-Thon rolling

Donald and Lisa Gaston are just like many other people in the Nicktown area.

They work hard and enjoy helping other people.

This week, the Gastons put the finishing touches on Nicktown’s 20th annual Bike-A-Thon that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The event, which was held May 3, is dear to them because it helps ill children and honors their daughter, Leah, who died in infancy.

Their final task this week was counting the remaining pledges that arrived, pushing the total raised to nearly $4,000.

The couple has spearheaded the Bike-A-Thon for 18 years.

With the support of many people and businesses in northern Cambria County, the event has raised more than $60,000 for St. Jude in those 18 years.

“I’m proud of how we have done in the Nicktown area with the Bike-A-Thon,” Donald Gaston said.

He said many people and businesses – not only from Nicktown, but from Northern Cambria Borough to Ebensburg – support the event by donating money to buy prizes for all the bicyclists.

The 49 bicyclists who participated, mainly children, worked hard, raising money from relatives, friends and neighbors.

The Nicktown Volunteer Fire Company donated the use of its hall as the base for the event, he said.

“That’s the way people are out this way,” 54-year-old Donald Gaston said. “I think the world of them. People are kindhearted and would do anything for you and to help children.”

Lisa Gaston said that without the many volunteers, they would not be able to hold the event. Those volunteers included their youngest son Nathan’s fraternity at St. Francis University, the fire company, and area businesses and individuals who made donations.

The Bike-A-Thon was divided into four age groups: Infants to 5 years of age; 6 to 9; 10 to 13; and 14 and older.

Parents walked alongside the youngest ones, who rode tricycles.

Although prizes were awarded to bicyclists in each category who rode the most miles and who raised the most money, everyone received some sort of a prize, Lisa Gaston said.

The two-mile route the bicyclists traveled started and ended at the fire hall, she said.

“The children have so much fun riding,” the 47-year-old mom said. “You can see the adrenaline flowing when they are told that they can start riding.”

The Gastons lost their daughter, Leah, at 11 months of age in 1982 due to a rare muscle disease.

Ever since, the Gastons have wanted to help ill children and their families.

In 1989, two men – Allan Kirsch and Marion Pawlowski – started the Bike-A-Thon in Nicktown, and the Gastons rushed to assist.

In 1991, Kirsch and Pawlow-ski asked the Gastons to take over.

Wayne Dumm – who along with his wife, Judy, has been helping with the Bike-A-Thon for 14 years – praised the Gastons.

Dumm said both do a great job of organizing the event.

Kirsch said the Gastons take the Bike-A-Thon seriously and have worked hard to make it grow.

Marcia Weiland, Lisa Gaston’s sister, said her sister and brother-in-law work on the event throughout the year.

“They really enjoy doing it,” she said, adding that all the children look forward to the event each year.

The Gastons, married for 27 years, are active members at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Nicktown. Both have been in charge of the arts and crafts booth at the church’s annual Homecoming Picnic for many years. The event is scheduled for the Sunday before Labor Day.

When he worked for Johnstown America Corp., now FreightCar America, Donald Gaston participated in benefit softball games with co-workers to benefit children.

He also is a past president of the Northern Cambria Football Boosters Club.

Gaston, who enjoys riding his all-terrain vehicle, also is chairman of the Democratic Party Committee in Barr Township, the municipality in which Nicktown is located.

Lisa Gaston, who enjoys working in her flower garden and bicycling, taught religion at her church for many years.

Donald Gaston owns Gaston Snowplowing Service. The company specializes in snow removal, lawn care and asphalt-driveway repairs.

Lisa Gaston helps by doing the bookkeeping.

She is employed as an office assistant at St. Francis University’s Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas.

The Gastons have another son, Brennan, 24.

        

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