Imua Family Services is the recipient of a fundraiser created by an avid biker and visitor to Maui.

Mark Pelzner, of Alameda California, will be taking on the world famous “Cycle to the Sun” course on Tuesday, Aug. 14 in an attempt to raise money and awareness for children with special needs.

Pelzner and his friend Dave Fong, decided to use the 36-mile bike climb up to 10,000 feet as an opportunity to raise money for a local charity.

Pelzner selected Imua Family Services because he is no stranger to children and the crucial support that early childhood development provides. Pelzner’s cousin, Jack, suffered from brain cancer as a child and has special needs, a result from the radiation treatments needed to combat the disease. Today, Jack has been cancer-free for 14 years. He just graduated from high school and will begin studying at his local junior college in Los Gatos, CA this fall.

Pelzner’s friends and California businesses have donated or pledged to support the cause. Supporters may also track his progress to the summit and send him messages of encouragement. Donations will be matched by a friend in central California, nonprofit The Hate Project, which serves to support education and services for children, veterans, and local communities through the crowd-sourced funding of goods.

“Cycle to the Sun” starts in Pāʻia town, travels through Makawao town, then up to Kula and finally onto the famous winding road to Haleakalā.

More information is available at facebook.com/imuafamily.