Seeking Help in Raising Money for a Special Needs Bike

I have you looked in to the Krispy Kreme Fund Raiser? I have not done it myself but have heard that they are really succesful. If you know someone that in Girl/Boy scouts they may also be willing to help with the fundraising and then you get help and they could get badges for community service or something like that. Everyone wins.
Kimberly

Your info alone is a testimony where you wrote about your children. I wish you all of the luck trying to raise money. Have you tried any local churches or businesses. Sometimes there are places that can use the tax write off. Also it may sound silly as well but our church raised money for special events doing things such as a hotdog sale and carwash, also ham bisquits and yard sale. We also hooked up with a candle company that brought some success. Many people that don't come to get their cars washed will come and buy food. We take up business orders for hotdog plates, 5$ for 2 dogs with slaw, chilli, whatever, desert, chips and drink and made close to 600 once. Many people are also willing to give if it is for a child. Another idea is to go to local businesses and convience stores and ask if you could leave a donation bucket with picture and story. I know that if I saw a picture of a sweet boy laughing and read the story I would be compelled to give to him. Hope some of this helps and I will pray that you get what you need.

Bless you A. for this incredible thing you want to do for your son. I can tell from your post that you are such a good mother. I'm so glad you posted this because I had no idea this kind of equipment cost so much for special needs children.

I know this isn't special needs related, but a family in my area (pretty small town, under 15,000) had a 3 year old who suffered a serious heart condition they needed surgery for and reached out to the community for help. They put donation boxes out at all of the local owned businesses and churches with pictures of the little boy and a short description of what they needed to raise the money for. They reached out to local news crews and newspapers and got the story out and raised enough money just from this small community to get the surgery done. They even had donation boxes at the high-school. I don't know how you feel about this kind of publicity, but I thought it was such a heart-warming story about how our community was able to pull together. I'm sure plenty of people in your area would like to help you provide this great happiness to your son. Best of luck to you and yours.

Call your local Shriners in your area and see if they can be of help. They help special needs kids all the time which even includes there hospitals for children that have been burned and have other special needs of healthcare. I have a neighbor that is a Shriner and during Christmas I went to him and told him about a friend of mine that I was buy a tree for and food and a few small gifts for her special needs son, he called me a few hours later and wanted their names and address they (the Shriners) wanted to include her little boy on their list for christmas and buy them things they needs and to make sure the little boy would get some gifts. Now I can tell you that my father was a Mason and his local group always get things for families with children of special needs and it went from toys, bikes, beds. My best wishes to you....there are some folks I think will help. They help more then just at christmas so I can say they would be worth contacting. Have you also considered your local fire department to see if they assist with special needs children situations??? just an idea I know may times I've read about local fire fighters helping kids.

A.,

Have you already contacted United Cerebal Palsy in Columbus?

Here's a link to the North Metro Miracle League. They provide sports activities for kids and adults with disabilties. Their website says that even though they are located in N Metro Atlanta, they don't limit their assistance to that area.

http://www.nmml.net/index/home

Another idea is PUSH America, which is the national philanthropy for Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. It's a bike race to raise money and awareness of disabilities. They have grant programs, and even though their website doesn't list a specific program you'd fit into, you could call and ask.

Here's what I found on thier site:
"If you are still not sure if you are eligible for a particular grant please call Push America’s Director of Special Events at ###-###-#### ext.123."

Any of these contacts could provide leads!

good luck!
S.

Hi A., My name is J. and I also have a daughter with special needs. I know the importance of wanting to get them the right gift. My daughter is three and we go through this every year on her birthday and other gift giving holidays. I'm not sure what type of funding you've tried but have you tried Carolina Children's charities? Maybe even proposing the bike be use for physical therapy since your son seems to like his feet on the petals. It's a long shot but I know your predicament. I truly hope you can get the bike for Matthew, good luck.

Hello Again...not sure if you read my previous response below yet, but I have spoken with the board members of the Service League of Cherokee County. It looks as though they could do as much as $400-600 possibly. I don't know if that helps or not...not sure if it is an all or nothing situation. Contact me and I can try to help out.
Hi A.,
You could contact the Service League of Cherokee County. This is a non-profit organization that benefits the underprivileged children in Cherokee. Typically they help to pay things such as rent/ utilities, medical expenses, etc. I think it would be worth talking to someone and just see if they could contribute. I am just completing my 10 years of service with the league, but if you would like to e-mail me directly, I can talk with the board members on your behalf and see what could be done. ____@____.com
K.

I would say buy a bike wagon for now and wheel the little guy around. I do not know how handy you and your husband are, nor do I know any of your friends, but bikes are not terribly complicated. I bet a person with his or hear head on right could fashion a usable and safe bike in a metal shop for a lot less than $3,600.

Are you a member of a church? If so, there may be Mission money available to help with the purchase of the bike. If not, how big is your city/town? If a small town, you might set up a fund in his name at a local bank and then have an article put in the paper about the account and request contributions to the account to help out. You might also contact the Department of Family & Children's services for more resources that might be available where you live. Hope this helps.

Hi, A.!
My name is A., too, and that's what initially caught my eye about your post--as well as your son and I share the same birthday! :) I'm sorry to say that I don't have any ideas as far as how to fund the bike for your precious son. Although, my uncle owns a business called Custom Mobility and sells special needs equipment. He also customizes vans and cars for the disabled (he has been in a wheelchair all his life and has far exceeded his life expectancy--he's 58 and happily married). If you are interested in calling him and seeing if he has anything like this for maybe a better price, just let me know and I'll give you his number.

I also wanted to encourage you on what you said in your "A little about me". You sound so mature for your age and obviously have experienced God's grace throughout your difficulties with your pregnancies, deliveries, and the challenges you face with Matthew. May you continue and grow in your faith every day. You know, sometimes the Lord gives us situations to test our faith so that we will HAVE to depend on Him for everything. It just shows us how very much He loves us and wants a relationship with us. I know from personal experience that if you just keep trusting the Lord for all your needs, He will provide them. He promises that if we seek Him first, He will provide ALL our needs. And God does not go back on His promises! This includes this special bike for Matthew. God will make a way even if it seems impossible right now. May He continue to bless you and your precious family richly in every way! :)

A. P.

I'm not quite sure what you are looking for but... I don't have the funds or I would buy that bike for you!!! But I am a Home & Garden Party Designer - - we have a fundraiser program with candles & cookie mixes. If a few of your friends wanted to sell the cookies or such - - You can make money buy selling the candles like any fundraiser PLUS I would let you have my commission of 30%! My phone # is ###-###-#### if you are interested!! You can also see the candles at www.hgpfun4you.com. It is a very easy & profitable fundraiser - - I will help you out the best I can! ~ with love & prayers, S. Morgan

Hi A.,

I'm not sure I can help much, but I feel very compelled to see what kind of money I can raise within my own network. I can't promise much, but I imagine anything can help.

I'd like to send out a request to everyone I know to help support your bike fundraiser. Can you email me your name at ____@____.com so that I can have everyone write a check in your name? Hopefully I can help some.

Good luck!
C.

I work with special needs population and I can suggest that you look into Durable Medical Equipment provider or see if Easter Seals has any funds available in their loaner closet if they have Easter Seals where you live. Also, you can pull up SC assistive Technology Exchange on the web and enter the state you live in and they may be able to help you out. If you already receive any type of services from a Special Needs and Disability Board they may be able to help as well. If you don't receive any types of services please look into your local Disability Board. They provide all types of help for special needs populations.

Have you discussed getting the bike with your son's doctors? It may be possible that the bike could be considered therapeutic exercise, not to mention what it will do for his sense of self confidence and self worth. If your doctor agrees, he may contact your insurance company with the idea of getting the bike as an aid to your son's treatment.

Another idea is to reach out to your local youth groups like 4H and Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. All of these programs are built on the base of helping others. I know the 4H program my daughter is in has to do at least one community service project per month. And a lot of months, we have trouble coming up with something to do for that month's community service project. As far as the scouting, I would contact the council office so that it is a more widespread effort than it would be if you only contacted a couple of troops.

Good Luck,
I sure hope he gets that bike!
Hugs,
A.

I was almost in tears reading your story and thought of a few things to help. 1. Having a bake sale at your local convenience stores. Your family and friends could bake something to help. 2. If you like to make crafts such as fabric purses or blankets you could make some of these and take them to local fabric stores and ask if they can sell them for you or if they would buy them from you to sell themselves. Let them know what the proceeds are going to be used for. 3. Ask your fellow church goers if they would be interested in haveing a yard sale with you (if you attend church). I am sure if your let everyone know what the proceds are going to be used for they would gladly agree. 4. Have a car wash and call your local TV station to let them know what you are doing and if they would help. I hope everything goes well. Nothing is better than seeing your child laugh.

I can't remember the name of the exact organization! It is something like the "Businessmen's Charitable Association" or something, but the actually give tricycles with hand-cranks and steering rods (for us to use)to kids who need them. The only catch is that you HAVE to give them the tric back when your child outgrows it so that they can repair it and give it to someone else who needs it...I'll do some more research, but maybe try googling it. You might be able to find it before I do.

FOUND IT!! Here is a link... http://www.ambucs.org/pdf/amtrykeproductflyer.pdf

Have you tried your local Disabilities and Special Needs Board? This may be a resource that can help you apply for special assistance. I don't know if they would be able to put you in touch with an organization that could assist you or not.
Good luck and I hope that you can do this for your son.
God Bless,
A.

A.,
I know you are a wonderful mother and wife.
Perhaps your church can assist you with a bake sale or a bingo party, car wash. I know you are dealing with a time factor here. I wish you luck.
I work from home part-time I make very nice money maybe you would be interested in looking at my company web site

www.iboplus.com/joan
Also we have a new bonus program starting May 1st. take a look at this web site
http://dreamformoreteam.com/tutorials/top-program/top-pro...
It takes about 1 hour and gives you the entire program.
There are a lot of stay at home mom with this company working part-time and making anywhere from $25,000 to over $400,000 a year. Perhaps this might interest you. If you need to talk with me call ###-###-####.
J.

A.,
This is an idea. Have you thought about a Tupperware Fund Raiser for the bike?

Tupperware donates 40% of total sales to any person or charity holding a fund raiser with the porducts they sale. They have a special fund raising book with order form included.

Contact me off list you you may be interested. bar345ing AT yahoo DOT com.

I may can help.

Another Idea I had is ask business owners in your area to set up a donation bottle with Matthew's picture and then a picture of this bike. The pictures will speak volumes.

Who can resist a cute little boy who needs a bike? I know I couldn't... LOL

Hope this helps,

B.
deaffmommie

Try Make a wish and the bike for his wish.Try different foundations for help too.

I am an occupational therapist who works in a rural school system. We have had success getting the Ambucs to donate special needs children a trycicle. They have their own special bike-the "Amtryke" which can be hand or foot activated so it is very versatile for children with decreased motor skills. Visit www.ambucs.com to find out more. If you are set on the bike you have found, have you thought about looking into Easter Seals or the Make a Wish Foundation? (Make a Wish is more for terminally ill children but sometimes they accept applications from medically fragile children who do not have a "terminal" condition). I hope at least some of this information is helpful. The other thing I have seen parents of special needs children do is let family and friends who are looking for a gift idea know before his birthday or Christmas and they can donate towards this expensive gift that sounds like it would be more meaningful than anything else they could go out and buy. I remember seeing another little boy's face light up when he received a special bike he could ride-and be like his big brother!
Good Luck!

Hey, It sounds like a bike would really make your little guy happy. I would look into funding help from a disability and special needs board, if you're already connected to one. DSNBs are supposed to help with waivers that fund these things, but if your son isn't in a state/federally funded waiver program yet it could take years on a waiting list. If the DSNB can't pony up some funds or find out who can, look into Easter Seals, Elks Clubs and such. Often these clubs want to help out kids like your son. I've also heard about a program that give bikes to children once a year, but I don't recall the name. They specifically give away bikes to keep kids active and out of trouble. They usually give away regular bikes, but maybe would try and work something out for an assistive bike.
If all else fails, ask around at churches and post something in public to raise funds.
Also, some places recycle these specialty equipment once they're not being utilized anymore by the original owner. So it wouldn't hurt to send out a mass email to all the disability boards in the state you live in. Someone might be able to help donate a used bike.
Possibly write a letter to Oprah's angel network.
Good luck. I hope your little guy gets a nice bike soon.

You might check out the "Dream House" in snellville, Georgia. I don't know if they can help, but their hearts are definitely in the right place.

Ann

I wish you the best in trying to raise the money for the bike. I wish I had a better answer for you. The only thing I could think of sounds kind of silly and it would take some work. But, I needed to raise some money to go on a missions trip one time, so myself and some friends got a bunch of Krispy Cream (spelling?) donuts and stood at a busy intersection to sell them. We got there early in the morning and within a few short hours we raised well over $400. It was amazing. Maybe some friends/family could help. I know it is far fetched but a few times of that and who knows? I wish I could help more
God Bless!!
S.
Here is another thought...Have you checked ebay to see if someone might be selling one?

You may want to check into alternative options by contacting FODAC in Stone Mountain (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, too!). Hope this helps.

Hey A.,
Have you tried your local Chic-fli-a? I live in Summerville, SC and ours is a very kid friendly place. I know they have an MUSC bucket on the counter now, perhaps they could do one with your story on it-I know it would fill up fast! SC also has the Carolina Children's Charity that helps local kids with birth defects. Does GA have any organizations like this one? I wish you the very best. Keep up the good work on being a wonderful mom:)
Many blessings,
Jamie

I just saw your request and was touched by your faith in God and devotion to your family. I know that this is your special request right now and you received so many good suggestions, but as several people have mentioned, you need ongoing assistance. There are many groups that help for specific needs, but have you thought about the fact that you are a family that will have "special needs" for a long time? How about a work at home choice for you that will benefit your family and your husband and kids can be involved in also? It will only take a few hours a week and you have all the skills and resources it takes to start. No investment - you're already spending the money for ordinary things and I'll show you a different way to shop. You must accept my coaching and your husband has to be on board or it won’t work, but there’s no risk! But if you decide it’s not for you, there is no pressure – my goal is to enhance other’s lives, not make myself a pest. Another wonderful thing about my business is that you pay it forward. As soon as I teach you, you can teach others. And it is an income for life. You can choose to make $120 a month or $1200 a month or $12,000 a month. While you're building your business to the level you want, you are benefiting your family and community by going "green". Does this sound like a win-win situation for you? If so, get in touch with me privately and we can talk. You can earn the money for this need and all those to come. I have not even logged into Mamasource in a month or two so I believe there was a reason today to see your request. I worked for years with an amazing adult friend, Nancy, with cerebral palsy and one of my best friends’ first child, Michael, was born with CP. And my heart goes out to you. I hope to hear from you right away so we can start earning that bike.

Why not buy some raffle tickets (inexpensive at any office supply store) and have a raffle. Sell the tickets for $1 each and let the buyers know that whoever wins will win half of the money that is raised through selling the tickets. They'll keep one ticket and you have them write their names and phone numbers on the other one. Let them know the specific time and date you will draw and tell them where the drawing will be held (that way they have the opportunity to come and see it's not just a hoax). Also, if you do this, you could possibly end up with more donations once they see the situation first hand. On the day you draw, you could also have some friends help you do a hot dog sale or something to help even more. You'd be really surprised how many businesses you can get to donate things when it's for a benefit. Hope this helps some.

I work for the state as an RN. My job is to do health assessments for individuals that have applied for waivers for their childre (or adults). Have you applied for one yet? I would suggest you apply for the Katie Beckett Waiver, personal support or Natural support enhancement waivers. When you apply, the team that comes to your home to do the assessment will put items such as the "bike", diapers, wipes, chux pads, any medical equipment, summer camp fees for him to attend the special needs camps, even environmental modifications as recommendations. You would be suprised what all you can receive funding for. This is not quick fix - it does take some time to get through. But you know, we have to plan for the future. When he gets older, they will also give him a job coach to help him work, day support and residential in an apartment or home if you want - still providing funds to have someone come in and assist him with what he needs.

For a quick fix, I would suggest asking private store owners for help. I have seen big jars with the childs photo on it, explaining what they are collecting donations for. Maybe you could make a few and have them placed at local convenient store counters in your community. What about asking friends and family to work with you on having a garage sale and all of the proceeds going to this cause. I would advertise it as such on Craigslist. I recently went to one where the proceeds were going to raise money for a little league team. I certainly didn't haggle the prices like I normally do and bought a few things that I really did not need, they had signs posted in the yard that it was a fund raiser. Good luck to you and my best to your son!!!
K.

A possible funding source is AMBUCS with the Amtryke. You'll have to look up the website on google because I can't remember it off hand. Your child will be evaluated for proper fit by a certified physical therapist in your area and then they try and get funding for you. I don't know how long it takes but it is a possibility at least. You can also contact easter seals. are you networking with other families in your area. I know that a good source of equipment is sometimes used equipment from other children in similar situations who have outgrown theirs. Good luck.

Have you tried your local disabilities and special needs organization.

For funding ideas maybe a flyer of him laughing and a picture of the bike, then the total cost, with wording help this child laugh more with contact info for donations. Put the flyer up in local businesses. Can you post something on mamasource (other than this message) about it?

Ask your church, neighborhood, child's class at school to help - maybe a benefit dinner, yard sale, etc

I may be on the wrong line but is the bike one he can actually ride (pedal if able) or ride in?

If it's one that he just sits and rides in - target and wal-mart have "attachment" bikes (look like side-by-side double stroller) that are $80-150. Has a child safety restraint (like a seat belt) and a covering to protect rider.

Good luck :)

hi i dont know where you are located but my company sell an item called a spindex that sell for 150.00. we are in ga but i also know that companies around the us sell this same item usually for about 150 to 300 dollars and the reason i am telling you about it is because my husband was able to ad on safty feachers to this bike so that special needs children can ride it. it looks like the old big wheel we grew up with but its electric and he added on foot guards,and a seat belt for one of the children in our neighborhood. if you need help finding something more reasonable in price and yet still allows him to ride it by all means contact me and i can help you find a place near you who will help you with this thanks ____@____.com