This fall, over 100 families applied for a WolfPups grant. When I looked at what they were facing, together it came to more than $475,000 in expenses that insurance doesn’t cover. I’ve been sitting with that number for weeks.
None of it is unusual. It’s mobility equipment, physical therapy, and communication devices. These are the things a child needs to move, grow, and be heard, and they’re the things families are so often left to figure out on their own.
I know this isn’t abstract, because we live it too. Even with private health insurance, two working parents, and a medical background, our family routinely pays around $35,000 - $40,000 a year for care that isn’t covered. We make sacrifices to do it, we choose care and treatment options that make the most sense for us and say no when things just aren’t attainable… and we know how fortunate we are that we even have choices, becasu the reality for many families —- is that they don’t. The cost of living keeps getting higher, and the cost of care keeps rising right along with it.
What WolfPups does about it
WolfPups on Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built by a family who lives this life. We give grants of up to $1,000 for therapy and up to $2,500 for equipment, everyone involved is a volunteer, and about 98 cents of every dollar goes directly to a child.
I wish I could tell you we fund every request. We can’t. But every gift, of any size, becomes part of the next grant, and every grant is a real kid who gets to keep going to therapy, or finally gets a chair that fits, or a way to say what they’ve been trying to say.
Why Giving Tuesday is personal for us
When Bennett was a baby, people showed up for our family in every way you can imagine. They gave money, they gave time, they prayed, and they held on to hope for us when we didn’t have enough of our own. I remember thinking I had to find a way to pay that forward someday. WolfPups is how we’re trying to do that.
Giving Tuesday is December 1, and two days later, on December 3, our son Bo turns 12. Bo is the one who came up with the idea for WolfPups, and last year he asked for $11 for his 11th birthday. This community raised over $3,000. This year he’s asking for $12, and our goal is $5,000. If you’ve ever wondered whether a small gift matters, it does, and watching Bo’s ask turn into $3,000 is the proof.
Ways you can help
You don’t have to give money to be part of this, and you don’t have to do all of it. Pick whatever fits.
Give. Even a little makes a difference. Give $12 for Bo’s 12th birthday, or any amount that works for you, at wolfpupsonwheels.org. If your employer offers matching gifts, ask them. It can double what you give without costing you anything extra.
Share and follow. This one costs nothing and matters more than most people realize. Following, sharing, and commenting on our posts puts WolfPups in front of more families who need us and more people who want to help, and a bigger audience means more opportunities for sponsors and donations.
Sponsor a grant. If you own a business or want to give in a bigger way, our 2027 sponsorship levels start at $500 and go up to $5,000, and we’re happy to build a custom package above that. If you sign on before December 31, you’ll receive your sponsor benefits for the rest of 2026 at no additional cost. Email hello@wolfpupsonwheels.org to get started.
Wear the pack. WolfPups sweatshirts are available in sizes XS to XL for $50 local pickup or $57 delivered, or via our website (print on demand) and every purchase supports therapy and equipment for children with disabilities. DM us to order.
Partner with us. If you’re a therapist or a practice, we’d love to talk about donating a week of intensive therapy or part of one. We’ve seen what that does for a family. If you run a business that wants to give back, we’d love to hear from you as well.
Join the board. We’re recruiting for several board positions for 2027. If you have skills in sponsorship, events, outreach, grant writing, or communications, or you simply believe in this work and want to help it grow, reach out at hello@wolfpupsonwheels.org.
This month is about giving back and gratitude. People showed up for us when we needed it most, and I really believe that if we can find a way to help, so can other people.
Thank you for being part of the pack.
WolfPups on Wheels, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.