Thanks to a happy coincidence and some good-hearted people at the Sport Chevrolet dealership in Silver Spring, 21 children from Latino congregations around the Diocese of Washington received brand new bicycles for Christmas.

Sales manager Lee Shirley said he had organized similar events at other dealerships, and suggested the bike giveaway to Sport Chevrolet's owner, who embraced the idea. The dealership donated the bicycles, the Corvette Club of America provided the helmets and employees donated their time and enthusiasm – putting up decorations in the showroom, setting out refreshments, assembling bicycles and welcoming 115 very excited children.

"We did this instead of an employee Christmas party," Shirley said. "Just about everybody participated in some way."

The smiles on the children's faces made it all worthwhile, he said, remarking that many employees have since told him it was their best company party ever.

The Rev. Simón Bautista, the diocese's canon for Latino ministries, learned about the event when he went to Sport Chevrolet in search of a new vehicle and struck up a conversation with Shirley, who invited him to bring 21 children to the giveaway event.

"It was pure, pure coincidence," Bautista said.

The children, who were not told ahead of time that they would be receiving bicycles, were overjoyed with their gifts and many wanted to ride them right away, Bautista said. "There was a lot of excitement."

"It was fun," Shirley said, adding that the dealership is planning to make it an annual event.