By Karen Haave
Dixie Barclay is a sunny, happy three-year-old, who likes to sing and dance, and she’s always smiling. Born with Spina Bifida, she has been through a lot in her short life, including enduring 12 surgeries, and uses a wheelchair to get around.
Her mom, Jessica, says she is very outgoing and lights up every room she rolls into.
Like most kids, Dixie has always wanted a bike, but one built to accommodate her special needs would be cost-prohibitive. That’s where Friendship Circle Great Bike Giveaway came to help.
Based on the premise that every child deserves a bike, the Great Bike Giveaway provides an opportunity to win a bike, as well as providing a fundraising platform for friends and family members.
Friendship Circle recognizes that riding a bike is a treasured childhood experience. But sadly, many children with special needs miss out. Dedicated to the memory of Michaela Noam Kaplan, the Great Bike Giveaway offers children with special needs the experience, joy, and independence of riding a special bike.
“I learned about the contest last year through a Facebook support group for parents of children with Spina Bifida,” Dixie’s mom explained. “Another mom had posted her child’s link to the competition asking the Facebook group to vote for her son. I bookmarked the website knowing I wanted to participate the following year.
“After registering and selecting the appropriate bike with her physical therapist, it was up to me to spread the word and ask people to vote. I posted the link in all the local community Facebook pages, contacted every news outlet I could think of. I reached out to a few nonprofit organizations, Dixie’s therapy center, BDI Playhouse, shared our story on their Facebook page, the local preschool Dixie attends shared her link asking for votes, and my neighbor connected me with Project Fire Buddies and they, as well, voted and helped spread the word. A lot of our family and friends shared Dixie’s story and link on their facebooks, and we posted on other social media sites such as Tik Tok and Twitter, as well.
“With the contest, there are three ways to win a bike,” Jessica continued. “Once a participant reaches 50 votes they are entered into a raffle to win a bike. After 50 votes it does not tell you how many votes you have but provides a leaderboard with positions 1-10. Currently, Dixie is still in first place. The participant in first place automatically wins a bike, unless their funding goal was met, then the bike will go to the runner=up.
“The third way to win a bike is to successfully meet your fundraising goal. Dixie’s goal was $3,400, and we successfully surpassed it by raising $4,518, so Dixie will be getting her bike! “
The manufacturer is building Dixie’s bike custom to her specifications, and she is estimated to receive it within five-to-six weeks.
“Dixie is so elated to have won a bike! Ever since she won, she has told everyone she sees she’s getting a bike,” her mom said. “She was so excited to pick the bike color and accessories. She chose her favorite color, blue, with a unicorn squeaky horn. She cannot wait to ride around town with her new wheels!
“We would like to thank everyone who took part in helping Dixie get her bike, everyone who donated, voted, and shared Dixie’s story,” she added.
“The amount of support we received from our family, friends, and the community was absolutely amazing. We are blessed to live in such an incredible place where so many people are willing to rally behind something like this to make our little girl’s dream a reality.”
The youngest of four children, Dixie lives in Peotone with her mom, dad (Anthony) and siblings Nolan 10, Tony, 19, and Lexi 22.
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