The ADAPT Shop recently received a generous donation from a local Boy Scout. One of several Easterseals disabilities services provided by Southwest Human Development, the ADAPT Shop focuses on improving the development of young children. The team’s specialists design and create mobility devices, custom seating, and more for young children with disabilities.
Local Boy Scout Riley Hoffer decided to dedicate his Eagle Scout project to crafting a fleet of wheelchairs for the ADAPT Shop. The Shop features a collection of mobility devices that families may borrow to see what fits their children’s needs. But these mobility devices are expensive, making it difficult for the ADAPT Shop to meet the needs of Phoenix-area families.
Hoffer, a freshman at Horizon High School, heard about the ADAPT Shop and the work they do from his mom. Hoffer saw an opportunity to help Phoenix families by building wheelchairs for children with mobility difficulties. “I wanted to do something that was going to have a big and lasting impact,” Hoffer says.
Hoffer went online and found blueprints for a wheelchair commonly used by young children. He then raised funds by hosting a “Polar Bear Plunge” party at his house, inviting friends and family members to donate money to jump into his ice-filled pool during December.
Using the Polar Bear Plunge funds, Hoffer purchased the materials needed to create five wheelchairs to donate to the ADAPT Shop. Several stores, including Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond, donated materials to help out with the project. Hoffer also enlisted the help of his family members and fellow Boy Scouts to help him assemble the wheelchairs. Thanks to the donated materials, Hoffer came in under budget. He generously decided to donate the remainder of the money (almost $1,400!) to the ADAPT Shop.
To learn more about the ADAPT Shop and ways you can help, please visit swhd.org/ADAPT.
