Recycle-A-Cycle, the local teen volunteer program that provides restored bicycles for disadvantaged children, is working overtime these days to complete its holiday mission, which includes fulfilling a request from a Long Island orphanage for 25 bicycles.

The volunteer program, which has given away more than 400 bicycles to date, has just a few weeks to complete the bicycles and is short on cash for various parts and supplies. If you would like to help Recycle-A-Cycle give kids a new "spin" on life, please contact Tom Montalbano at 496-7883.

Meanwhile, Recycle-A-Cycle recently delivered a beautiful, shiny, purple two-wheeler to a 6-year-old cancer patient at Nassau County Medical Center. The little girl won the hearts of group members two weeks ago when they visited the hospital as part of a Syosset Teen Council program.

The girl's family has suffered an extreme financial burden as a result of her illness and was unable to provide her with her biggest wish - "a purple bicycle with streamers and a bell." Four members of the group paid a special visit to personally deliver the bike, which brought a rare smile to the face of their little friend.

Although the girl may never be able to actually ride the bike, due to the nature of her illness, the group hopes it will be a symbol of encouragement as she faces many more weeks or months of challenging cancer treatments.