Hi, I'm a mom to a young man who has some disabilities or doesn't fit the norm of society. I tend to stumble upon similar folks, who unfortunately didn't have the resources I've provided for my own child, so I help where/how I can. Sometimes it's a small loan till payday or brief financial help, sometimes a roof over their head and some meals, but most often it's just unconditional love, acceptance and caring guidance. Lots of young people I didn't birth lovingly call me mom, because I help them as I do my own.

People with some special needs, or who can't quite conform to society's or their families' ideas of normal, often get cast out to make it on their own, and honestly just can't in one way or another sometimes. It's heartbreaking to see they've got no supports.

Because of my own child's needs, and watching people cast him off because he's different, I create a safe, caring space for others like him who wouldn't otherwise have it. It gives me great pleasure to assist with the problems that unfortuneately usually manage to find them.

That leads me to this current fundraising goal. There's a young man, a friend of my son's, who rides a minibike to his job daily, through all weather and all year round, for the last several years, because he doesn't drive. He needs his job to maintain his very meager existence in an old trailer house. He does his absolute best to keep up with it, along with his needs, and those of his beloved dog. He has no support and gets no help from the government. He's up early to ride to work, with lights and reflective clothing. He does his best to be a safe operator, but his best isn't enough and the law is the law.

Recently, local law enforcement has stopped him and threatened impoundment of his minibike because it's not equipped for on-road use, and the trails he takes are technically for snowmobiles only. I've spoken to law enforcement in an attempt to avoid problems, but I also understand they have a job to do and can't make exceptions. I've asked in local community groups for ride help, to no avail as well. Everyone feels for him, but no one has offered him a much-needed daily ride to and from work. His shift is 6 am-3:30 pm, and his trip one way is about 2 miles, in Rice, MN.

I prefer not to post his picture or his name, as this is a small town, and he didn'task for this help. If you're from here, you've probably seen him, and know how safe he tries to be. I've seen him pushing his ride home after a breakdown, and that's how I came to know him a few years ago. You might see him using our local food pantry on his minibike or making a purchase from our local hardware store. I don't want to splash him out there for a pitty party, as he wouldn't like that. (The photos are likeness only.) I do however want to help him, but can't do it on my own.

I would love to fundraise enough to get him a fat tire e-bike that would handle all the weather conditions he rides in. This would also resolve the law enforcement issue. Maybe if we raise enough, he could get new boots and better winter gear. Maybe if this really gains ground, we could help with some roofing issues he's been having.

Can you please help me help him? He would never ask for help himself. He's a kind young man, who is a bit different from the usual, but he continues to do his best, and that's good enough!