Hello friends, we really need your help getting Jacob a special needs bicycle so he can ride along on adventures with the rest of our family.

Last month we entered into the Great Bike Giveaway contest. Many of you sponsored and voted for him through this program, but unfortunately he didn't win. We really know this modified bicycle will make a difference in Jacob's life, so we are determined to make this dream a reality.

The buddy bike that Jacob needs is custom manufactured, large tandem bicycle that is specially adapted for children with Down Syndrome, autism, and other physical/mental handicaps. Our wish is to take Jacob and his bike along to recreational, charity, and group bike rides around Florida, so he can enjoy the sport as much as the rest of us do.

Through the years, we've explored many options including a conventional tandem bike, a pull-behind trailer, and even a recumbent tricycle. None of these worked for Jacob because he lacks the ability to control the bikes safely on his own. The buddy bike will allow us to ride with him and maintain the responsibilities of safe cycling.

We are humbly asking for your help because in order to make this a feasible solution, we need both a buddy bike and a small trailer in which to transport it, as it will not fit on our vehicle-mounted bike racks. If you can help out by donating to this very personal fundraising campaign, we will be forever grateful. We can't do this without you.

Please donate today. We'll be sure to post videos of Jacob's family cycling adventures once we've reached our goal, so you can experience the positive impact your contribution has made.

Thank you for being a part of our lives, and let's get our very special buddy a very special bike!