Ross bank teams with charity group to provide special gear to help 4-year-old boy

A local bank is teaming up with a charitable organization to provide a 4-year-old Gibsonia boy who suffers from several physical challenges with devices designed to make his life easier.

Employees of the SSB Bank in Ross Township and representatives from Variety — the Children’s Charity will present Caleb Naugle and his family with a communications device as well as an adaptive stroller and bicycle on July 24.

The public is invited to attend the presentation ceremony at 5 p.m. The bank is located at 8700 Perry Highway.

“We are beyond thankful that you have chosen my son to be able to have a communication device,” said Caleb’s mother, Crystal Naugle. “He certainly has come a long way from where he started, and while Caleb does know more and more words as time passes, sometimes he is unable to effectively communicate his wants and needs.”

Caleb suffers from Cerebral Palsy, which impacts his ability to walk and communicate.

The boy’s mother said her son has been using a communications device while working with as speech therapist at the Children’s Institute in Wexford but does not have one of his own.

“This device will be so handy to have at home,” she said. “I know for sure this will make things much easier when it comes to communicating his wants and needs in the home.”

Bank employees paid for the communications device by contributing to a “Jeans Day Fund” in which a donation is taken from their paychecks so they can wear bluejeans to work. The money collected is used for various charitable donations.

The adaptive stroller and bicycle is being purchased by the non-profit organization

“Last spring, the bank utilized those funds to purchase an adaptive bike for a young girl in the area through Variety,” said Jessica Merolillo, the bank’s director of marketing. “The impact that it had on the bank staff to see the young girl receive her bike was immeasurable.

“It was amazing to see the joy it brought her to be able to ride a bike that assisted her with her physical limitations. The bank loves to sponsor opportunities that help kids and families in the community,” Merolillo said.