The Gift of a Bike
On Thursday Evening, Outside-In® Companies presented their second bike through Preston’s March for Energy.
Back in October Outside-In® partnered with Preston’s March for Energy, an organization whose mission is to provide adaptive bikes to children with special needs, to “Pay it Forward” to our community. The organization was created when Preston, a young man with Mitochondrial Disease, which leaves him with low muscle tone and developmental delays, was blessed to receive an adaptive bike donated to him through a fundraiser that was developed by a family friend. Preston’s family was amazed by this overwhelming support, and they immediately began to “pay it forward” by raising money (each bike costs between $1400 and $2500) for more children to realize their dream of riding their own bike.
First, Outside-In® Companies adopted a 14-year-old boy named Zachary who lost his left leg in 2014 due to Osteosarcoma. He uses a prosthetic to walk, but missed being able to ride a bike around the neighborhood or go for a bike ride with his sister, Mother or Father. One of the first questions he asked when he found out he was going to lose his leg was whether or not he would ever be able to ride a bike again.
Donations from team members, family, friends, clients, candidates and other community organizations helped us purchase an adaptive bike best suited to Zachary’s needs and allowed him to ride a bike again.
On Tuesday evening, 12/1 Outside-In® Companies gave Zachary his very own custom bike. And, the fundraiser raised enough money to help Zachary pay it forward to another awesome child.
Jacob is a 19-year-old young man who loves riding the school bus, watching videos, digging in the sand at the beach and playing baseball with the Challenger Little League. He wanted to have an adaptive bike to enjoy spending time with his mom and sister while getting exercise around his neighborhood. Jacob has cerebral palsy and it’s very important that he keeps active as much as he can.
On Thursday, 2/11, the Outside-In® team presented Jacob with his new adaptive bike. “If you had a chance to be there, you were certainly moved to tears,” remarked President, Chris Burkhard. But they were good tears, with lots of smiles too. “What a fun day with so many smiles! The best smile was Jacob’s as he hopped on his new bike!” said Deb Buenaga, Preston’s Mom and director of Preston’s March, on her Facebook page. “It was cold outside so Jacob took a little ride inside but did not actually get off his bike until time to go home. He said he even wanted to take it to school to show his friends!”
To support or ask about our Outside-In® Paying it Forward program, contact us at charity [at] outsideincompanies.com.
Photos: 1st/left: Zachary with the Outside-In Team, Preston & Deb Buenaga; 2nd/right: Jacob on his new bike with Preston offering encouragement.
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