‘Raise the Dough’ fundraiser at Panera boosts ‘B’s Mobility Ride’

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 1/22/15

Benjamin McDermott, an eight-year-old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy II (SMA II), is now a bit of a celebrity after the recent Panera Bread “Raise the Dough” fundraiser.

SMA II is a type of …

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‘Raise the Dough’ fundraiser at Panera boosts ‘B’s Mobility Ride’

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Benjamin McDermott, an eight-year-old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy II (SMA II), is now a bit of a celebrity after the recent Panera Bread “Raise the Dough” fundraiser.

SMA II is a type of muscular dystrophy. Benjamin was diagnosed at age one, and has been using a wheelchair all his life. His family has been looking to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van that would allow Benjamin more freedom to travel.

With the cost of the van being over $60,000, the family has been hosting fundraisers to hopefully have enough funds to make the purchase later this year. The series of events have been dubbed “B’s Mobility Ride,” working off the family’s nickname for Benjamin.

Ruth Devitt, the general manager of the Warwick Panera Bread, met Benjamin at a muscular dystrophy event a year ago. Knowing Benjamin and his family, Ruth desperately wanted to do something to help. She reached out to her employer and secured a series of fundraisers at various Panera Bread locations around the state, the first being last week at the Warwick Panera.

At the “Raise the Dough” Preview Party, individuals who donated $10 or more could try unlimited samples of Panera Bread’s new winter menu. There were samples of a new chicken salad, as well as broth bowls and scones.

The dining room was decorated in all blue – Benjamin’s favorite color – and packed with friends and family. Even local police officers stopped by to meet Benjamin. Children huddled around a center table, where there was a cookie-decorating station with different frostings and sprinkles.

“ I was looking over all the photos from the event the next day and I found myself crying,” Devitt said. “It was just so touching to see so many people come out. It was a nice community event where everyone came together for a good cause.”

With well over 100 people present, Panera raised $2,300 for B’s Mobility Ride.

Karyn McDermott, Benjamin’s mother, called the support “just unbelievable.”

“There were family and friends and strangers who saw all the advertising and just wanted to help us out,” she said. “This has all been such a blessing.”

“I got to talk to a lot of people and all my friends were there. It was fun,” Benjamin said. “It was a great day and really cool to have so many people support me.”

Panera will be holding its next fundraiser on Monday, Feb. 2 at the Cranston Panera, located at 5 New London Ave.

Ten percent of the sales between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. will be donated to B’s Mobility Ride. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a mystery gift card. There will even be a surprise $200 gift certificate.

The last event will be Feb. 24 at the Panera on 100 Division Road in East Greenwich. A meet and greet will be held with Jenna Blum, a New York Times best-selling author. For a $20 donation guests will receive a signed copy of one of Blum’s publications. There will also be raffles at the event.

“I wanted to thank everyone for coming to see me and donating,” Benjamin said. “Everyone should come and see me at other events to support me.”

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