Chester businessman who helped paralyzed Middletown teen now helping other children
After helping build an accessible home for the daughter of one of his longtime employees, Kevin O’Reilly has turned a one-time fundraiser into an annual effort helping Hudson Valley children with disabilities.
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Just days after Sky Mendoza celebrated her 22nd birthday in a wheelchair-accessible home built specifically for her needs, the Chester businessman who helped fund its construction is now working to help two more Hudson Valley children.
Mendoza's father, Orlando, works for Kevin O’Reilly’s Chester-based company, Satin Fine Foods. When O’Reilly learned about the 2018 crash that left Mendoza paralyzed from the neck down and killed her stepmother, he knew he wanted to help.
“I always said to Orlando we need to have a fundraiser to build the right space for Sky,” O’Reilly said.
Working with the Spring Lake Hope Foundation, O’Reilly rallied businesses, donors and volunteers around one goal: building a fully accessible home for Mendoza and her family.
RELATED: Ribbon-cutting held on new home for paralyzed Middletown teen
“It was truly an event where the community came together to build this home for Sky,” he said.
Now, O’Reilly hopes to do the same for two more Hudson Valley children.
This year’s fundraiser is the fourth annual Courage in Action event. The first two fundraisers helped support Mendoza and her family. Last year’s event benefited two other Hudson Valley children with disabilities.
So far, the fundraiser has raised more than $11,000.
“This year we are raising funds to help Luke and Aubree, both with different needs,” he said.
Luke Henry, 8, lives with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia, a rare neurological disorder. He uses a wheelchair, relies on a feeding tube and requires extensive medical equipment throughout his home.
Fundraising efforts will help create a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and bathroom designed to improve his safety, comfort and independence.
Aubree Spoor, who is approaching her 12th birthday, suffered a stroke before birth and lost her twin sister. She has faced numerous medical challenges, hospitalizations and ongoing therapies throughout her life.
She now relies on a wheelchair for mobility. Her family says transporting her in a traditional vehicle has become increasingly difficult.
Fundraising efforts will help purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for Aubree and her family.
“A wheelchair-accessible van would do more than provide transportation—it would give Aubree greater freedom, comfort and opportunities to experience life alongside the people who love her most,” her family said in a statement.
O’Reilly says seeing Mendoza thrive years after her accident continues to motivate him.
“To think back eight years ago, she was in this horrific accident and almost didn’t survive, but here she is smiling and celebrating her birthday. That just means the world to everybody,” he said.
O’Reilly says the work has become deeply personal.
“It’s the best feeling. We did it once. I always look at it as if there’s a need, we can all come together and chip in to do our part. It makes a difference," O’Reilly says.
He hopes this year’s fundraiser will have the same impact.
“It will help these children for years to come. It changes their lives immediately," he says.
Click here to learn more about the fundraiser.
