"Haven't seen anything like it:" Union Grove students build wheelchair-accessible table for vets

UNION GROVE -- A gift from some local high school students is brightening the lives of area veterans.

A picnic table may not seem like a big deal, but for some it's bringing excitement.

"These tables will accommodate eight people at one table and we haven't seen anything like it. That's exciting," said Scott Griffith, Paralyzed Veterans of America - Wisconsin Chapter.

What's unique about the table is it's meant to seat both able-bodied people and wheelchair users at the same time.

"The veterans homes throughout the state all have individual wish lists with items that they need for the home, but they lack the resources for. On the Union Grove Veterans Home, I noted that there were wheelchair-accessible picnic tables," said Griffith.

Griffith got the idea for the table about eight months ago. He promptly got to work on making one a reality.

"I actually had to cut off fundraising because we had all the funds we needed within just a matter of days," said Griffith.

He reached out to a shop instructor at Union Grove High School, who saw the project as a teaching opportunity.

"Many of our kids end up in the workplace and in industry, and a large part of that is going to be ADA and accommodating people who might be in a wheelchair," said Nick Baldwin, shop teacher at Union Grove High School.

The group presented the Union Grove veterans' home with the completed table on Tuesday. Griffith hopes to see the design replicated around Wisconsin.

FOX6 News is told the community of Union Grove really came together to provide all of the funds and supplies needed to make this project happen.