Thumbuddy Special – Funding Assistance Provider for Adaptive Equipment Needs

Address: P.O. Box 145
Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 630-212-3419 Email: NO EMAIL Website: http://www.thumbuddyspecial.org/

Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization that was started over 16 years ago by a group of special education teachers and therapists who had a vision to fill a void in our field. We needed to raise money to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs. Our children required equipment to access their environment, and live a life where they could reach their maximum potential. Often our children were either denied the equipment they needed by the insurance company or public aide. Most of these families lack resources to purchase the equipment that their child needs.

Thumbuddy Special supplies equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, adapted bikes, and ramps and computers. In addition, we offer scholarships to children to attend local special recreation camps in the summer. Every Christmas Season Thumbuddy Special also sponsors needy families in low income communities.

In recent years this program has grown considerably due to the nature of the economy. Our only source for revenue has been fundraising throughout the year, where family and friends continue to be our biggest supporters. We have ten active members on our volunteer board and over 95% of the money we raise goes directly to the children and families.