About Us

Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children & Adults has been meeting the needs of our residents since 1949

The all-volunteer committee was formed in 1949 to help meet the needs of indigent crippled individuals of Wayne County. Over the years, the committee has stayed focused on its mission to provide wheelchairs, canes, braces, and equipment while expanding its scope to provide necessary medication and other means of support. In most cases, this committee is a last resort for financial assistance for an individual who needs additional support.

When the organization formed in 1949, community members from around Wayne County joined together to form a local chapter of the Easter Seals. Those initial members were from the Wooster, Orrville, Dalton, and Rittman Rotary clubs. Back then, our focus was primarily to provide equipment, like wheelchairs and braces, to families affected by the polio epidemic.

When the 1950s and 1960s rolled around, our organization expanded to serve more people, not just those who suffered from polio. The polio vaccine helped eliminate the disease, so we started helping others who faced other issues.

By 1982, the Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children & Adults, Inc., became an independent organization. Leaders of the nonprofit sought to end its affiliation with the Easter Seals because it would have required the group to hire an executive director. It wanted to keep all of the donations in the county to help local residents.

Because leaders chose to remain an all-volunteer organization, all of the money stays in Wayne County. About 89 percent of the money raised goes directly to services for the clients we help. The rest of the money covers our bills, operating expenses, and administrative services we receive from the United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties.

In the 1990s, the scope of services provided expanded once again. This time, we helped families pay for medications. WCCCCA started to receive more requests for assistance with medications to help control chronic diseases, like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.

In the 2000s, the Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children & Adults continued its support of our residents by providing wheelchairs, ramps, crutches, beds, and other kinds of equipment to increase mobility and independence in and out of homes. We started providing scholarships to physically handicapped students through the Al and Judy Van Wie Scholarship Program. And, we also helped with special projects around the community to make playgrounds more accessible.

And all of this has been made possible through the support of our volunteers, donors, and supporters from the business and nonprofit communities. Thank you for partnering with our mission.

WCCCCA

How We Allocate Our Funds

Recipients have diverse needs and are residents of Wayne County. WCCCCA works to meet needs such as:

  • Providing equipment for physically disabled individuals or those persons with debilitating diseases.
  • Providing medications as an alternative for those who must choose between food and medication.
  • Granting sponsorships to two Ida Sue students to attend the College of Wooster Nursery School.
  • Awarding scholarships for high school graduates with physical disabilities who wish to further their education at a college, university, or trade school.
  • Funding of special projects that assist the disabled throughout Wayne County.

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children & Adults, Inc., does not have an office. When we meet in person, we use the conference room at the United Way in Wooster. This allows us to keep expenses down and use more money for direct services.

No, the Wayne County for Crippled Children & Adults does not receive government funding. We are able to provide a better quality of life to the community members who deal with a wide range of impairments, disabilities, and developmental delays, because of the generous support of mainly individual donors.
That’s a good question, but we really do not run into this issue. The WCCCCA is considered an organization of last resort. People have to demonstrate they were unable to get assistance elsewhere or only received a portion of what was needed.
Nearly 90 percent of the money we raise through our annual fundraising drive, bequests, charitable donations, and grants are used for direct services, which is above the national average. The rest goes to cover our expenses and administrative costs. We have no employees; we have an all-volunteer board. All of the money stays in Wayne County.

There are a number of ways you can financially support us, and you can find that information on our Donation page. From time-to-time, we need to add members to our board. If you are interested in helping this way, reach out to us via the United Way at 330-263-6363.

What We Do

Provide Equipment

We provide eligible residents with wheelchairs, hospital beds, ramps, communication devices, and other specialized equipment.

Offer Scholarships

We help handicapped students with scholarships to attend college or trade school through the Al and Judy Van Wie Scholarship Program.

Help with Special Projects

The WCCCCA has partnered with community organizations to help make playgrounds around Wayne County more accessible.