Pedals for Paul

Paul Pyykkonen works at my local Menards here in Buffalo, MN.  He has some limitations from being neglected as an infant which leave him unable to read or drive.  Paul uses his bicycle as his main mode of transportation and rides a few miles to work every day.

Paul is a very friendly and loving guy who has been dealt a bad hand in life and has managed to make it a winning hand.  If you ever go to Menards, you have either seen Paul or know him.  He's the one person I always look for when I go there.

Paul's current bike is old and needs a lot of work.  Rather than invest money into parts to limp it along, he needs a new bike.  I'm partnering with Erik's Bike Shop in Maple Grove to get him squared away, but the quality of bikes they sell aren't cheap.  Quality and durability comes with a price tag, as with most things in life.

I'd like to raise enough money to get him a new bike which will be robust and durable enough to last many years.  I'd also like to get it outfitted with lights (for safety as he rides at night as well) and any other accessory he may need as he also uses it to get groceries sometimes and the like, so perhaps a rack?

I'm not a bike expert, but the good folks at Erik's Bike Shop are.  I'd love to be able to have Paul go there, pick out a bike that fits him well and will serve him well and then let him know that the community in which he lives and works loves him enough to hook him up.

This is my first Go Fund Me thingamabobber, so if the funds received exceed the goal, I'll work with Erik's Bike Shop to find another similar opportunity to bless someone in need with a quality bike.  Alternatively, if Paul and his wife need some work done to their house, I will look into putting the funds towards those kinds of repairs.  Or a combo platter.

Thank you for reading and please consider helping.