Wish Book: For this nonprofit helping adults with disabilities, getting a new set of wheels is a big deal

"Painted white on the outside and styled with black leather seats, LSA staff use the van to drive adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from one community activity to another. Her face breaks out into a wide grin as she climbs into the passenger seat. She's still smiling as she straps on a seatbelt and waits for the familiar vibrations of the engines turning on, a sign that the LSA crew is ready to embark on their next excursion."

"Levine-Mickel loves to volunteer there every Thursday morning, even if the tasks can get tiresome. For Levine-Mickel, who is deaf, visually impaired and has cerebral palsy, riding in the van is the only way she can travel around the South Bay and venture outside of her Campbell group home. "She loves her outings. She loves being in the community," said Brian Mickel, Amber's grandfather and conservator."

"Although Levine-Mickel's enthusiasm for traveling is boundless, the van's ability to do so isn't. LSA is hoping to raise $38,900 through Wish Book to purchase a new vehicle, which will be used to shuttle adults to their recreational and volunteer activities on a daily basis. Staff already have their sights set on a discounted 2018 Toyota Sienna from a local dealership."

Amber Levine-Mickel volunteers weekly at a family-friendly barnyard and relies on a nonprofit van for community outings because she is deaf, visually impaired and has cerebral palsy. Life Services Alternatives operates transportation, housing and developmental programs for about 100 adults and owns 16 group homes across Campbell, San Jose and Santa Clara. Staff use LSA-owned vans to shuttle adults to recreational and volunteer activities. LSA seeks to raise $38,900 through Wish Book to buy a discounted 2018 Toyota Sienna from a local dealership. New transportation would expand mobility and access to community activities for residents.

Read at The Mercury News