Gabe Da Costa, center, surrounded by members of the basketball team from Faith Christian Academy. The team is coached by Gabe's father, Tony (R). (Image courtesy of My Fox Philadelphia)
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – Gabe Da Costa loves basketball, and it's helped him forge a special bond with the players on the high school team his dad coaches.
Now, Gabe's family needs help, and the team is charging to their rescue.
The first thing you might notice when you meet 12-year-old Gabe is his wheelchair.
However, spend a few minutes with him, and all you'll come to see is that mega-watt smile, which dazzles when his dad Tony’s high school basketball players from Faith Christian Academy walk into the room.
“He comes to ever Saturday practice. He's always around; we always try to involve him,” said player Danny Ziccardi.
“Because I coach basketball. He obviously loves the sport, he likes to watch,” said Tony Da Costa.
The players are like big brothers.
So when the team found out Gabe's family needs help affording a special exercise bike for their son, to help manage his cerebral palsy, they immediately set out to raise the $6,000 needed to buy it.
“He's such a good kid. Just trying to get him everything he needs and if we can help in any way, well do it,” said Ziccardi.
Click for more from My Fox Philadelphia.
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.