May We Help Hosting Pickleball Party: In a heartwarming initiative, May We Help, an organization dedicated to supporting children with medical needs, is reaching out to the community with a special invitation. They’re hosting a “Pickleball Party for a Purpose” on July 20th, aimed at rallying support and raising crucial funds. This event promises not just fun on the courts but also a meaningful opportunity to contribute towards building customized items for children who face unique challenges in pursuing their passions.
The story of Wesley Collavo and his family, featured recently on “What’s Happening in Health” (Sundays, 5:30-7 a.m. on Local 12), underscores the profound impact of May We Help’s work on individual lives.
“Wes was born three months early. He had some brain bleeds when he was born, and then has cerebral palsy subsequent to those brain bleeds. He is the funniest, happiest little kindergartner you’ll ever meet. Sorry, going into first grade, right? He’s just an absolute joy,” shared Caili Collavo, Wesley’s mom, reflecting on their journey.
Rob Seideman, Executive Director of May We Help, passionately explained how the organization leverages a diverse team of volunteers to create custom solutions for children with disabilities:
“If you have a disability, often times the only thing standing in the way of you getting on with your life is the right device. But what are you supposed to do if that device is not available in the marketplace? Well, you call May We Help, and we’re a team of over 100 volunteers with really sophisticated skillsets. They are industrial designers and engineers. We are doctors and occupational and physical therapists and then welders and woodworkers and seamstresses whose skillsets come together to build hundreds of different devices that meet the needs of a single individual, and we do that for hundreds of people every year, and we always do it for free,” explained Seideman.
Journey With May We Help
Brett Collavo, Wesley’s dad, recalled the family’s initial encounter with May We Help and how it changed their lives:
“We were really looking for some mobility assistance early in Wes’ childhood. And we actually attended their very first equipment fair. Went in there, not really knowing what we were looking for and got fitted with some mobility and standing equipment to help assist him in his physical therapy back at home,” Brett Collavo recounted, highlighting the immediate impact of May We Help’s support.
The “Pickleball Party for a Purpose” not only aims to raise awareness about May We Help’s mission but also celebrates community spirit and collective effort in making a difference. It serves as a testament to the power of local initiatives in fostering support networks and providing essential resources to those in need.