Like any school that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, money is tight at the John Paul II Center. So when the staff at the
“Small and small/ medium “AlertSeats imprinted with the John Paul II Center logo are among the 4 sizes in use at the school.”
During a live auction at the Center’s annual dinner last year, AlertSeats™ were offered as items that bidders could buy, not for themselves, but for the school. When the hammer came down, the John Paul II Center had 18 of the innovative chairs.
Founded in 1982, the John Paul II Center serves 61 individuals with intellectual disabilities, 37 of them between the ages of 3 to 21, plus 24 adults. Its staff of 26 includes teachers, therapists and aides.
According to Mary Adams, the principal, AlertSeats™ help students strengthen their core muscles while providing sensory integration. “Kids love them,” she said, “and staff members love them, too.”
Concerning the unique fund raising method used to pay for the chairs during the school’s annual “Legacy Gala,” Mrs. Adams said, “People like to buy something directly student related.”
To build the emotional appeal for the seats, the staff made sure that one was on display along with a student to demonstrate its use.
“The response was immediate,” the principal said. “Bidders paddles went up all over the room.”
When it was over, 18 people had paid the full price to purchase an AlertSeat™ for the school.
To learn more about the John Paul II Center, click here.
