Noah, age 3, with his mom and the volunteer group that built his car. From left: Kristen Smith, payroll coordinator (kneeling); Ismail Egal, reliability intern; Alley Shular, shipping and kilns manager; Matt Snow, mill manager; Kyle Lackie, planer team leader; and Satishkumar Nachimuthu, reliability manager.
On June 9, when James and Noah received the keys to their own vehicles, employees from our Drayton Valley lumber mill in Alberta found it impossible not to share in their joy — especially considering the boys are just 2 and 3 years old.
Our team had helped assemble two specially designed ride-on vehicles for James and Noah as part of Go Baby Go, a program from Variety Alberta that supports children living with mobility issues. Area businesses donate money and time to assemble the battery-powered vehicles, which look like miniature off-road Jeeps, and then gift them to a local toddler with limited mobility. The vehicle helps its toddler owner keep up with their friends and engage in play by building and retaining muscle control and memory, while giving them the freedom to safely navigate their environment.
“We saw a direct correlation between supporting Go Baby Go and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion focus of our Giving Fund," says Donna Shmyr, who provides administrative support for our Drayton Valley lumber mill and coordinated our participation. “Our Giving Fund Advisory Committee decided to donate $6,000 and sponsor two cars. It was an amazing event, both as a team-building exercise and as a way for our team to explore what our inclusion value means.”
Ismail Egal, Satishkumar Nachimuthu, Matt Snow, Kristen Smith, Kyle Lackie, Alley Shular work together to assemble the car for Noah.
KEYS TO PLAY
Two teams of six Drayton Valley employees gathered at the Mackenzie Conference Centre to assemble the vehicles and then present them to their new little owners.
The assembly process took about two hours. While the process appears complicated and included different modifications for each child, Matt Snow, mill manager, says it was a bit like putting together a puzzle.
“We did happen to have some millwrights with us to participate and help, but I think anyone could have put these cars together,” Matt says. “Variety Alberta had people walking around to answer questions, and the manufacturer of the cars also had two representatives there helping everyone out.”
Each car is specially built to accommodate the specific needs of its recipient, including supportive seating and safety straps, push-button switches and other adaptations. The cars can even be fitted with a remote-control device that parents can use to support operation or control the car if needed.
“We learned James is partially colorblind and can only see differences between a few colors,” said Colton Hunter, dry side superintendent. “So we switched out the green push buttons for a yellow and red one, which he can see more easily.”
The teams also personalized each vehicle, adding Weyerhaeuser logos and little baskets with MP3 players and speakers that allow each driver to listen to their favorite tunes on the go.
James and his parents Ashley and Luke (front) with our volunteer group. From left: Kristen Smith, payroll coordinator; Ismail Egal, reliability intern; Alley Shular, shipping and kilns manager; Matt Snow, mill manager; Kyle Lackie, planer team leader; and Satishkumar Nachimuthu, reliability manager. Ashley and Luke sent a thank-you note to the team after the event, saying in part: 'Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! It's hard to express how much it means that we received this car for James. So far we've used it every day and the joy on his face when he drives just lights up our lives.'
FREEDOM ON FOUR WHEELS
Three-year-old James loves music and being outdoors, but he is unable to sit, crawl or walk independently and always had to be secured in a stroller to get around outside. Noah, not quite 3 years old, has limited use of his right hand and arm and struggles with balance, but his parents say he longed for independence and the ability to explore without becoming exhausted. And understandably, both boys wanted to be able to play with children their own age.
“James loves moving but was unable to be independent,” James’ mother Ashley said in a letter to our volunteers. “Now he’s able to move around himself. This gift means so much more than you know. It hasn’t been an easy road to parent a child with disabilities. This car, and the love and effort and support from all of you, really impacts us.”
Colton, Matt and Donna all describe the cars’ presentation as a joyful experience.
“I appreciated being able to help a family that is struggling and to see the excitement on the child's face, giving them the ability to get outside and do something that they couldn't do before,” Colton says. “These little cars gave the kids independence. And it was a great team-building experience for us, giving us the chance to work together for a good cause.”
Donna adds the event was also an eye-opener for the entire team.
“To see firsthand how small steps using technology will bridge the gaps between these kids and their peers allowed us to really explore what inclusion means,” she says. “This was an incredible event, and we can’t wait to see what other community events our team can be part of.”
