An Enterprise woman and her junior high-aged daughter will have a much merrier Christmas than might have been expected, thanks to the generosity of a local church congregation.

The woman received a three-wheel bicycle and the girl enough money to buy a new bicycle in a surprise presentation last weekend on behalf of the Lostine Presbyterian Church at the home of parish associate Jerry Raedeke in Enterprise.

The church’s gift was made to replace the pair’s two bicycles, which were stolen while parked in front of their apartment complex a couple of months ago.

The woman, who wished not to be identified, is unable to drive or ride a two-wheel bicycle because of medication she takes for a medical condition, and the bicycle was an important mode of transportation, according to Raedeke.

When the need for replacement bicycles was announced at church, he said the response was immediate. However, because the three-wheeler had to be special ordered, it so happens that the presentation coincided with the Christmas season.

“They were very, very grateful,” Raedeke said. “The woman kept looking at her bike and saying, ‘it’s so beautiful.’ The girl couldn’t wait to go shopping for her new bicycle.”

Along with the bicycles, the church congregation added an extra cash bonus, enough to pay for cable locks to make sure their bikes wouldn’t get stolen again.