Jennifer Choate's megawatt smile seemed to power her specially built bicycle Wednesday.

Her legs helped, too, of course, but who would have noticed in the glare of that grin? The 8-year-old Greenville girl had just received the elongated three-wheel bike courtesy of The Salvation Army and its employees and board members.

Greg Eans/The Daily Reflector (ENLARGE)

JENNIFER CHOATE, 8, takes a spin on her new specially-designed bicycle with a little help from her sister, Heather, 5. The bike was presented Wednesday by The Salvation Army.

"It was something of personal interest to the staff and advisory board," said Maj. Jack Chastain, the organization's director of community resources.

Choate's mother, Valerie Choate, requested the bicycle from The Salvation Army at Christmastime, but discovered the unusual model would have to be ordered. The fire engine-red bicycle arrived last week, and SA Capt. Robbie Robbins presented the gift to the joyous girl Wednesday morning during a 20-minute event at the organization's site on Dickinson Avenue.

"Her smile told the whole story," Chastain recalled Wednesday afternoon.

Choate — who according to Chastain has muscular dystrophy and autism — needed the $700, three-wheel model because she can't balance traditional two-wheel bicycles.

"It's a regular bicycle, except you don't have to balance yourself," Chastain explained. "The bicycle is sturdy and should last her for several years. She should be able to grow with it until she gets much larger."

Chastain, 72, who has worked for The Salvation Army for 46 years, hasn't seen another request quite like this one, he said.

"People usually request food, rent, utilities and clothing; that's the basics," he said. "This one was bit unusual."