David Mauchly
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Like most young adults, David Mauchly is very excited to drive his first vehicle. He works very hard and is saving a lot of his earnings from his two jobs to buy a vehicle.
For Mauchly, buying from a used car lot is not feasible. Getting a hand-me-down truck from a family member is also not realistic.
Mauchly has osteogenesis imperfecta, and needs a specially-equipped vehicle to assist with driving. Therefore, his friends and family are raising money through Help Hope Live, a nonprofit which helps fund uninsured medical expenses associated with catastrophic illness.
Anyone who has shopped at the Hayesville Ingles will probably recognize the young man. Confined to an electric wheelchair, he carries mechanical grabbers to assist him with the store’s you scan registers where he assists customers with their self-scans. He smiles at everyone he sees and greets them enthusiastically.
In addition to Ingles, Mauchly works at Paris and Co. as a host. He earned an associate’s degree and wants to be a linguist.
“He works hard and is loved by all,” the fundraising page shared. “He’s studied several different languages and has even written his own.”
His father, Tom Mauchly first shared the fundraiser on Facebook in September.
“David might have brittle bones but his spirit is unbreakable,” he said. “David is a joy to be around; playful, honest and a tad mischievous. Due to his condition, he is confined to a wheel chair and needs to have a specially modified van for his transportation. North Carolina will fund his van modification, but it must be two years or younger; the vehicle purchase is on David. We found a 2023 with only 6,700 miles on it. Still, $42,000 for a first car is steep. It is way above his ability.”
On Friday, Sept. 20 the proud dad wrote, “David is about a week away from driving his own van. I drove my first truck when I was 16, he's 23 and finally getting to get close to the same freedom we enjoyed much younger.”
Tom added, “He's halfway through the process of getting his driver’s license and first handicap accessible van, customized for him to drive. His expenses are above $90K but fortunately North Carolina will cover some of the expense. Please help us help this hard working young man. He has two jobs and is loved by everyone in town.”
His family chose Help Hope Live to fund raise for Help Hope Live partially because the organization assures fiscal accountability for funds raised, as well as a tax deduction for contributors. All donations are used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses.
About a week ago, Tom posted: “David cleared 60 percent today. PTL. He met with the representative of the van conversion company and signed papers. He put a $1,500 deposit down and now this is starting to look like a reality. Please donate soon for this effort. Thanks to all of you who've contributed.”
At press time, David had $27,860 towards his $42,000 goal in the South-Atlantic Catastrophic Illness Fund. His father said he needs to raise the remaining funds within about two weeks.
There are various ways to make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign. Visit: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/23377.
Mail to: In honor of David Mauchly, Help Hope Live, Two Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA 19087
The home page for Help Hope Live states their mission and values as, “We support community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.
For details call Help Hope Live at (800) 642-8399.