Phoenix Bonds, 2, of Imperial recently received a special tricycle through the Great Bike Giveaway, a program held by a nonprofit group that awards adaptive bikes to participants who either raise enough money to cover the cost of a bike, collect the most votes in their category or win a drawing if they collect at least 50 votes.
The Bonds family raised enough money to earn Phoneix a Rifton adaptive tricycle, which he received March 18, his mother, Brittany Bonds, said.
She said her son’s entry collected $5,080 in donations, which well surpassed the $3,000 cost of the tricycle, plus the special adaptations needed to allow him to use it, like a harness, steering mechanism, communication tray and stand to allow it to be used indoors.
Phoenix has non-verbal autism, chronic lung disease, sleep apnea and global developmental delays.
“The goal is for him to ride this bike himself, but if that option never comes along, we are prepared,” said Brittany, 32.
Since Phoenix’s entry surpassed the total needed to purchase the tricycle, the rest of the money went towards purchasing adaptive bikes for others who entered the contest, Brittany said.
“I was trying to get as much money raised as I could,” she said. “I was like, ‘Why don’t we try to raise funds for other kids?’ I just kept putting (social media posts about the program) out there to see what would happen. I thought it would end when we got close to $3,000, but it just kept going.”
Phoenix’s entry received a big boost from an anonymous donor who pledged $2,100, which covered the cost of the tricycle, excluding the adaptations.
However, Brittany learned some information about the man through the program.
“He said 20 years ago he received a playground set for his autistic daughter through a radio-show contest,” she said. “He said he wanted to pay it forward to other families. That was a huge surprise. It funded the entire bike. At the point when he made the donation, I think we had about $500, and the minimum we needed to raise was $2,100.”
Brittany said the tricycle allows Phoenix to participate in family outings with her, her husband, Cavion Bonds, 30, and their other two sons – London Ross, 9, and Maveryck Bonds, 4.
“It is not fun to feel excluded because you have special needs,” she said. “(The tricycle) helps him by being included with his peers. It helps with his range of motion. It will help with his hand dexterity.”
Brittany said Phoenix is enjoying the bike, which he should be able to use for about 10 years.
“My oldest son will race him,” she said. “He will let me push Phoenix a little ahead, and then he says, ‘Phoenix, I am going to race you.’ Phoenix just starts laughing. They love riding their bikes.”