West Bloomfield Charity Giving Away Adaptive Bikes Across U.S.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI – Bicycles and children go together like peanut butter and jelly.

More than 74 million children around the country ride bikes as an everyday part of their childhoods, but for many children with special needs and their parents, it’s not that simple.

They miss out on this childhood experience because their physical or cognitive limitations make riding a traditional bike impossible. Adaptive bicycles are very expensive and out of the financial reach of many children.

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A West Bloomfield-based charity, Friendship Circle of Michigan, hopes to change that with its fifth annual Great Bike Giveaway taking place at 80 locations throughout the United States.

Friendship Circle has set the bar high with a goal to give away 600 adaptive bicycles to boys and girls with special needs. To do so, they need help.

[RECIRC[“Our children are our greatest and most precious and valuable commodity,” Bassie Shemtov, the organization’s director, said in a news release. “We are kindly asking you to show your generosity by supporting the children and putting smiles on the faces of boys and girls throughout the United States.”

Friendship Circle of Michigan has partnered with nine adaptive bicycle companies around the country to meet the goal.

These bikes are tailored to meet each child’s unique ability so that they don't miss out on this part of their childhood. Children in your city have registered for The Great Bike Giveaway and are hoping to win one of the special adaptive bikes.

Donations are being accepted through noon on March 30. Simply go to: friendshipcircle.org/bikes, select which child you would like to support and donate.

Belfor Property Restoration, a global provider of disaster relief and property restoration services, is a corporate sponsor and supporter of the Great Bike Giveaway.

“We are humbled by the opportunity to give back to communities around the nation and more excited about the smiles we get to put on deserving children’s faces when they receive their bikes!” Sheldon Yellen, Belfor Property Restoration CEO said in a news release.

Friendship Circle has been providing assistance and support for more than 3,000 families of children with special needs since 1994. Friendship Circle pairs teen volunteers with children who have special needs and together they participate in more than 30 weekly and monthly programs.