Paying it forward

Paying it forward for Benjamin McDermott

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 3/26/15

Time and again the community has come together to support Benjamin McDermott.

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Paying it forward

Paying it forward for Benjamin McDermott

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Time and time again the community has come together to support Benjamin McDermott, the 8-year-old boy living with SMA II (Spinal Muscular Atrophy II).

Thanks to the community paying it forward, the McDermott family is on its way to purchasing a much-needed wheelchair accessible van.

Last Friday was no different. Launch Trampoline Park, along with Kevin Mulhern and Robin Kall as part of B’s Mobility Ride, held a fundraiser to help Benjamin and his family.

Benjamin has been in a wheelchair all his life, and now that he is getting older and it’s harder for his parents to pick him up, the van would allow the family to take his power chair around with ease. This would give Benjamin more freedom in his movement. The van costs $60,000.

People have come out in droves to support the family.

First, Panera Bread has held, and continues to hold, fundraisers for Benjamin at their various locations throughout the state. It was at one of the first Panera fundraisers that the McDermotts met Robin Kall.

Kall hosts the Reading with Robin radio show on AM790 and works with local authors to get their books published. She had Benjamin on her radio show to promote his GoFundMe page.

She said, “I believe things happen for a reason and what more proof could you need. Timing is everything and we have just tied everything together with love.”

For Friday’s event, Launch Trampoline Park donated 25 percent of their sales from “Toddler Time” to B’s Mobility Ride and then hosted a reading of “Cody the Cloud,” by Kevin Mulhern, a 94 HJY on-air talent.

The young patrons, as well as Launch’s mascot, a giant green Kangaroo named Joey circled around Kall and Benjamin while they read the book allowed with Mulhern working the projector of the illustrations.

After the reading Mulhern was available for book purchases and signings.

Benjamin’s parents, Karyn and Shaun McDermott, were also there with a laptop taking donations for their GoFundMe page.

John Ginolfi, vice president of sales and marketing for Launch Trampoline Park, said, “Launch wanted to give back to the community. We appreciate everything they do for us and wanted to do something in return. I think we have been just as excited for this event as the family has.”

The children’s book tells the story of Cody the Cloud, a young cloud that can’t produce rain, and how sometimes all you need is someone to believe in you when you’re a little different.

Having lost a friend to MS and working with the Meeting Street School, Mulhern said he understands how difficult it can be to transport someone in a wheelchair without the proper vehicle.

“The spirit they all have, the same spirit that Benjamin has, in the face of adversity is incredible. They all have such spirit and courage, and I think the story captures that. Cody the Cloud is a tribute to the strong people like Benjamin.”

He said he considers the wheelchair accessible van a medical necessity for Benjamin and is willing to do whatever he can to see the family raise enough to purchase one.

Kall said, “This has really been a win-win for everyone. It’s been a great coming together for such a sweet boy. We’ve all paid it forward for this one remarkable person.”

Karyn McDermott, Benjamin’s mother, said the support from the community has been “unbelievable.”

The family was overjoyed and thankful when Panera Bread offered to hold one fundraiser for B’s Mobility Ride and never thought so many businesses, organizations and people would come out to help them raise the funds they need.

Benjamin, who is skilled at making friends, said he loves going to all the fundraisers and meeting new people.

“It’s been wild!” he said.

“I feel like we have a new family or friend group every week with how many people we have met,” McDermott said. “I think it is good for Benjamin to see that just because he may be a little different there are so many people out there who are going to love him just the way he is.”

Although almost $13,000 has been raised there is still a long way to $60,000. If you would like to donate to B’s Mobility Rode you can do so on their GoFundMe Page, www.gofundme.

com/bwumj4.

There will also be another fundraiser at the Warwick Panera Bread, 1000 Bald Hill Road, on April 1 with cookie decorating and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The McDermotts will also be hosting a charity Car show on June 28 at the Governor William Sprague Mansion in Cranston.

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