WITH Gratitude AND Appreciation
On behalf of recipient families, care providers, our board, staff and volunteers, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your generous support of May We Help’s mission to provide free-ofcost, volunteer-led custom solutions, adaptive equipment and inclusive programs in 2024.
It was truly a transformative year. We received a record 1,312 service requests and completed 838 projects, with many still in the discovery or build phases. Our adaptive equipment program, previously held four times per year, expanded to 3-4 times per month in 2024. As a result, we repurposed 271 pieces, providing families with needed equipment at no cost while reducing landfill waste.
Your crucial funding of over $900,000 enabled us to meet the growing demand for our services. This report illustrates the impact of your support; an impact reaching across 32 states and 5 countries since our founding.
Families facing unique disability challenges rely on May We Help for solutions. And our nearly 400 volunteers consistently rise to the occasion, delivering a remarkable range of support—from innovative, custom-designed solutions and adaptive equipment to impactful build days and inclusive events—all tailored to meet the unique needs of our community. We serve individuals of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and from all income levels and racial backgrounds. This year, we also said goodbye to Rob Seideman, Executive Director and John Clancy, Development
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John V. Mock, Board Chair
Madhu Vrishabhendra, Vice Chair
Paul Henkel, Secretary
Craig Rowitz, Treasurer
Sam Becker
Amy Castelllini
Bill Deimling, Co-founder, Director Emeritus
Dave Dombrowski
Mike Ehrensberger
Nancy Keyser
Bill Sand, Co-founder, Director Emeritus
Sandra M. Eismann-Harpen
Rich Hidy
OUR STAFF
Gregory S. Waddell, Executive Director
Brianne Wilkerson Director of Programs & Outreach
Beau Bramer Project Manager
Tom Hanson Shop Manager & Safety Coordinator
Wendy Ransom Office Manager
1,312 REQUESTS
400 VOLUNTEERS
11,728 VOLUNTEER HOURS 839 SOLUTIONS DELIVERED VOLUNTEER VALUATION: $1,231,440
100 ENGAGEMENTS & BUILD DAYS
$1,291,503 $753,633 $620,586 $989,393 EXPENSES
REVENUE $1,000,000 $500,000
Building a World Where Anything is Possible: Custom Solutions
For individuals with disabilities, a single piece of specialized equipment or assistive technology can be transformative. When standard, commercially available options don’t exist, May We Help becomes their lifeline, offering free customdesigned assistive solutions that open doors to new possibilities.
Our dedicated team of volunteer engineers, designers, therapists, and craftsmen transforms challenges into opportunities. They design and build custom solutions that go beyond basic needs, enhancing mobility, simplifying daily living, and enabling participation in activities. Whether it’s creating adaptive musical instruments, specialized sports equipment, or innovative art tools, we empower individuals to fully engage with life.
The impact of our Custom Solutions program is undeniable. In 2024, we fulfilled 233 requests, bringing the total to 1,137 since 2021. Donor funding fuels this life-changing work, providing not only practical assistance but also renewed hope for each recipient and their families.
We’re not just building devices; we’re building pathways to possibilities, one custom solution at a time!
CUSTOM SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Repurposed Equipment, Renewed Hope: Adaptive Equipment
May We Help’s Adaptive Equipment Program provides mobility and daily living aids to individuals facing challenges with obtaining needed equipment. We repurpose donated equipment—from standard and power wheelchairs to gait trainers, standers, and specialized bathroom aids—giving these valuable resources a second life. Our online request system and equipment events held 4 times per month, makes access to life-changing equipment readily available.
The demand for our program has surged. In 2024, we received a remarkable 656 equipment requests, a 137% increase since 2021. This surge reflects the growing need within our community, and we are proud to have fulfilled 543 requests, providing crucial support for both permanent and temporary needs.
Our commitment extends beyond simply distributing equipment. We are dedicated to environmental stewardship, significantly reducing landfill waste by repurposing used equipment. Items that don’t meet our standards are meticulously disassembled, with usable parts integrated into custom projects and scrap metal responsibly recycled.
The overwhelming demand underscores the program’s vital
role, but also presents challenges. Our current storage capacity limits our ability to meet the growing need. To overcome this, we are actively exploring new storage solutions and investing in significant upgrades to our online inventory system.
By expanding our storage and enhancing our online platform, we are committed to meeting the increasing demand and ensuring that more individuals have access to the adaptive equipment they need to live fuller, more independent lives. We are not just repurposing equipment; we are providing hope!
Creating Joy and Accessibility:
May We Help’s Community Events
May We Help signature events are more than just celebrations; they are powerful demonstrations of our commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible community. We are creating moments of joy, empowerment, and connection for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Halloween Magic:
We don’t just create costumes; we transform wheelchairs into vessels of imagination. Our volunteers craft custom designs, bringing each child’s unique Halloween vision to life. Imagine a wheelchair morphing into a pirate ship, a spaceship, or a magical carriage – that’s the magic we create. Then, the children proudly showcase their custom creations in a costume parade at May We Help’s Halloween Festival. Our festival is designed to be enjoyed by all! With accessible carnival games, delicious treats, and exciting guest appearances from Gapper and Rosie Red, it’s fun for everyone!
Giving the gift of play: Our Tinkered Toy Program transforms ordinary toys into extraordinary opportunities for play. Volunteers, in collaboration with corporations and schools, create a vibrant “toy store” filled with adapted gifts. Families enjoy a heartwarming experience, enjoying photos with Santa, festive treats, and the special opportunity of selecting a custom-adapted toy. This event ensures every child experiences the wonder of Christmas, with a toy uniquely their own. In 2024,MWH was able to give the gift of play to 300 children!
319 TINKERED TOYS DELIVERED
Solutions. Opportunities. Adaptations. Recreation: SOAR is the Tri-state’s premier expo showcasing cutting-edge healthcare products, services, mobility devices, custom solutions, and adaptive sports and recreation. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, we provide a vital platform for individuals with disabilities to discover and access the latest advancements that enhance their quality of life.
Building Solutions, Changing Lives: May We Help Invention Shop
At May We Help’s Invention Shop, the true magic of our mission unfolds. It’s a vibrant hub of creativity and collaboration, where dedicated volunteers transform ideas into tangible solutions for individuals facing unique challenges. This is where projects come to life, driven by passion and skill. We’re committed to fostering an environment of innovation, and through continuous investment in our equipment, and technologies, we’re empowering our volunteers to take on more complex and innovative projects.
The Heart of Our Mission: Volunteers
May We Help’s impact is a direct reflection of the incredible dedication and talent of our volunteers. From design and fabrication to assembly and delivery, their expertise and compassion have transformed challenges into solutions. We celebrate their ingenuity, their collaborative spirit, and their profound dedication to our mission. Thank you for building hope, one project at a time.
Partners in Impact: Corporate and School Collaborations
Partnering with local schools and corporations has proven instrumental in our mission. These ‘win-win’ collaborations not only provide invaluable volunteer experiences for students and employees, fostering skill development and community engagement, but May We Help also gains the critical volunteer support needed to extend our reach and impact, ultimately allowing us to help more people!
Investment in our Mission: Donors, Foundations & Grants
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our individual donors, Grantors and Foundations, our partners in creating a more inclusive community. Your support has enabled us to achieve remarkable milestones this year. Your belief in our mission fuels our passion and enables us to transform challenges into possibilities. Your contributions fuel our innovative programs, providing life-changing assistive technology, fostering inclusive communities, and empowering individuals with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest. Thank you for standing with us!
OUR VISION
Empowering everyone with disabilities to increase independence and pursue their full potential by providing the tools they need to thrive while fostering a spirit of giving with our community.
OUR MISSION
May We Help provides free-of-cost support to children & adults with disabilities through volunteer led, innovative custom solutions, assistive equipment and inclusive events.
