On the day before Easter, a young girl asked her daddy a question.

"Do you think I could have a bike for Easter?" Lizzy Kalka, 10, asked her father, Greg.

Money was tight, Mr. Kalka of Butler told his daughter, and he made no promises. "I didn't want to get her hopes up," he said.

On the same morning, Anthony Fallone, 70, arrived to work at Calcara's Barber Shop on Grand Avenue in Mars, only to realize he had forgotten two crucial medications at home.

He went across the street to the Rite Aid drug store to see if they could somehow get him the pills he needed to get through the day. The pharmacist needed the manager's permission, and Mr. Kalka happily gave it.

Mr. Fallone was leaving the store when, "All of a sudden, I hear this guy calling my name ... Anthony! Anthony!"

It was Mr. Kalka. He asked Mr. Fallone to ask the customers at the barber shop whether they knew of anyone who might have an old bicycle he could buy and fix up for Lizzy.

Neither man knew this chance encounter in a neighborhood drug store would lead to a communitywide effort known as Lizzy's Bikes, a nonprofit created by Mr. Fallone to provide bicycles to needy children.

After Mr. Kalka explained why he needed a bicycle, Mr. Fallone went back to his barbershop where six men waited for haircuts.

"So, with my big mouth, I started making my pitch," he said.

One man was reading a newspaper. Another had his face buried in a magazine. Nobody said a word.

Frustrated, Mr. Fallone called two regulars into the back room.

He pointed his finger and said, "There's a little girl who needs a bike for Easter tomorrow, and you two need to do what you can to do to make that happen."

When the men left, Mr. Fallone wondered how many customers he had lost. About an hour later, a burgundy van pulled in front of the barbershop. A woman waved for Mr. Fallone to come out. And there, in the back of the van, was a brand new bicycle.

"It was one of the guys who were in here," he said. "He went home and that guy and his wife went out and bought a brand new bike."

Mr. Fallone called Mr. Kalka over to the barbershop and told him to look in the back room.

When he didn't hear a whoop or even a "Wow!" Mr. Fallone went to the back room and found Mr. Kalka sitting on a leather recliner, his face in his hands.

"Needless to say, I got a little misty-eyed," Mr. Kalka said.

Lizzy got her bicycle; it was a happy ending.

The story of Lizzy's Bikes, however, was just beginning.

The barbershop was closed Easter and the following Monday.

By mid-afternoon Tuesday, Mr. Fallone had accepted four bicycles. By the end of the day, he had six.

It wasn't long before Mr. Fallone was on the phone with his attorney, asking about the best ways to give the bikes to needy children. The attorney was happy to help, free of charge, Mr. Fallone said.

Within two weeks, 15 volunteers were willing to work for Lizzy's Bikes. A board of directors was chosen. A nonprofit was born.

"We have been meeting once a month, and it has been a wonderful experience," Mr. Fallone said.

Since April, Lizzy's Bikes has given away 10 bicycles -- and helmets -- to children whose families are in financial need.

Four shiny bicycles and a red tricycle sit in Calcara's front window. Two more are displayed at Basilone Cleaners next door.

Upwards of 20 bikes are being stored in a board member's barn.

"You know, 90 percent of these bikes are brand new," Mr. Fallone said. "One man brought in $600 worth of bicycles. All new."

Lizzy's Bikes doesn't accept cash donations, just bicycles and related equipment, Mr. Fallone said. For now, they can be dropped off at Calcara's Barber Shop at 134 Grand Ave., in Mars.

The intent is to serve children in and around Mars, reaching as far as Cranberry.

Lizzy's Bikes focuses on helping families in financial need, one-parent families and others who can't afford to buy bicycles for their children, Mr. Fallone said.

People can ask for a bike by filling out an application at Calcara's.

"We aren't giving away free bikes," Mr. Fallone said. "We are giving bikes to needy people."

Mr. Fallone said the community response to Lizzy's Bikes has been overwhelming and touching.

"We all love what we're doing," he said. "And we all love kids. What people are doing is unbelievable."

Mr. Kalka, who has since become a board member for Lizzy's Bikes, agreed.

"It really renews your faith in people," Mr. Kalka said, adding the experience has changed his outlook.

"Nowadays, all you see on TV is hardship," he said. "Now, when I see a tragedy, like a fire on TV, I wonder how I can help."

First Published: August 5, 2010, 1:45 p.m.