Benjamin McDermott, an 8-year-old Warwick resident, loves the color blue, chicken nuggets and Lays Wavy Chips. He also enjoys Skylander toys and shopping trips to Target.

“I really like Tommy the White Power Ranger. He’s my favorite because he’s the karate guy,” said Benjamin.

Now, Benjamin loves his friends at Panera Bread. Panera Bread employees are helping Benjamin’s family raise money for a wheelchair-accessible van. Tomorrow, Panera Bread is throwing a “Raise the Dough” Preview Party to go to the McDermott family.

At the age of one, Benjamin (never just “Ben”) was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy II (SMA II), a type of muscular dystrophy. SMA II does not have a cure yet and Benjamin has used a wheelchair all his life. Benjamin has undergone several surgeries on his back for severe scoliosis but nevertheless keeps a positive disposition.

On Friday, he smiled, raised his hands above his head and said, “Now, look at me. When I was curved I was short, but now that I’m straight I am almost four feet.”

At the age of three, Benjamin was a goodwill ambassador for MDA, with his big smile and infectious personality encouraging people to attend and support events or fundraisers for the association.

Benjamin is a bubbly, ever smiling boy, happy to tell you about all of his toys and his favorite television shows. He is home-schooled and his favorite subject is science. He enjoys learning about animals—“all of them” are his favorites—as well as the human body.

“Scientists might find a cure for me one day and it might help me walk again,” he said.

To improve their son’s quality of life, Karyn and Shaun McDermott want to buy a wheelchair-accessible van, which would allow them to bring Benjamin’s power chair along with ease.

“Benjamin is getting bigger now and it’s a struggle sometimes for us to pick him up or for him to wheel himself around,” Karyn said. “He wants – and we want for him – the freedom to move around on his own. With a new wheelchair-accessible van, we would be able to bring his power chair around and he won’t have to be so reliant on others to move around.”

The van will cost around $60,000. They began “B’s Mobility Ride,” a series of fundraising efforts, to raise enough to buy the van by this fall.

“I want the freedom to play with my friends. The power chair is my legs,” said Benjamin.

Benjamin has lots of friends. He smiles and talks about his “fireman and policeman buddies” who have helped him out and supported “B’s Mobility Ride.”

Benjamin knows how to make friends everywhere. He also has a lot of friends at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). That is where he met Ruth Devitt, general manager of the Warwick Panera Bread.

“Benjamin and I met just over a year ago at an MDA event,” she said. “I remember because it was horrible weather and most people never showed, but Benjamin and his family were there despite the rain. I began talking to him that night. Once you speak with him, you know you want to help him out, and that’s what we are trying to do here at Panera.”

Ruth reached out to the Howley Bread Group, a franchiser of Panera Bread, to see if there was anything they could do to help.

Panera Bread in Warwick will be hosting a “Raise the Dough” preview party. For a donation of $10 attendees can have unlimited samples of Panera’s new winter menu. All funds raised will go directly to B’s Mobility Fund.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the support Panera Bread has been giving,” said Karyn. “We are so happy that they had even considered holding a fundraiser for us, not to mention such a big one they are putting on for our family now.”

Ruth explained, “I try and do whatever I can, because I lost my brother-in-law to ALS. It’s hard when there is nothing you can do but watch someone succumb to their disease. So, just as much as this fundraiser is for Benjamin, it is also for his family so they can take Benjamin around with ease and he can have some more freedom.”

Panera plans other fundraisers at Panera branches throughout the state to help the McDermott family.

“I am just so grateful that the Howley Bread Company and Panera Bread believe in this cause and want to do something to help. They give us the chance to reach out and make real change,” said Ruth. “A part of our mission statement talks about providing opportunity. That’s not just for our employees, we want to provide an opportunity for our communities to thrive. I am happy and proud that I can work with a company like this.”

So far, there have been just over 40 people who have confirmed they will be attending the event and Panera and the McDermotts are hoping for more.

“We have been trying to advertise this everywhere, on Facebook, or just handing out flyers,” Ruth said. “We know this is a story that can pull heartstrings and people will want to stop by.”

Karyn said they appreciate anyone who shows up, even if its just twenty minutes on their way home from work.

“They can eat great food and meet some great people. I know Benjamin will talk their ear off if they let him.”

“I can talk,” Benjamin said. “I’m surprised my voice box hasn’t blown out on me!”

Ruth said this is the time of year when people want to change, be more positive and contribute to their communities.

“What better way than helping the McDermott family? Good food and a good cause. What’s better than that?”

B’s Mobility Ride and “Raise the Dough” will be held at the Warwick Panera Bread at 1000 Bald Hill Road Jan. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. A $10 donation gets unlimited samples of Panera’s flatbread sandwiches, scones and the brand new broth bowls. If you cannot attend the event, look for the McDermott family and Panera fundraisers throughout the year. Panera will be holding two events in February in Cranston and East Greenwich. In June the family will be hosting a car show. The McDermotts also have a GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/bwumj4.