KATHY CHANG Metuchen Pulls Together presented the wheelchair-accessible golden sandstone Dodge Grand Caravan to Jonathan Verges and his family at the Metuchen senior citizen parking lot on June 20. MPT has raised more than $60,000. Verges is in front with his grandmother, Hilda Calix, next to him. Standing behind Verges are his aunts, Felicita Calix and Maria Verges. Nonprofit Metuchen Pulls Together helps MHS grad get on with life
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
Jonathan Verges’ eyes lit up when Patrolman Daniel Granato pulled the golden sandstone-colored Dodge Grand Caravan into the Metuchen senior citizen center parking lot.
The recent Metuchen High School graduate raised his arms and smiled. For once, Verges was speechless.
The wheelchair ramp was lowered, and his family and friends urged him to try it out.
After a few minutes looking over the van, he said, “I got my ride, Mr. V. [teacher Thomas Vahalla]. When am I coming over for dinner?”
Last week, Verges, 18, who has cerebral palsy, received a new wheelchair-accessible van for him and his family through the efforts of the nonprofit group Metuchen Pulls Together (MPT).
“This is such a wonderful thing that the whole community has done,” said Maria Verges, Jonathan’s aunt. “He has been lacking his freedom all this time, and now he can have it.”
Problems began when Verges’ wheelchair broke last Thanksgiving. He missed three days of school. His wheelchair was fixed with the help of Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, but he still had travel limitations.
That’s when Metuchen High School teachers Vahalla, Paula Greene, Barbara Johnson and Metuchen Sgt. David Irizarry came together to help Verges live a less restrictive life.
And that’s when MPT was born. So far, the group has raised more than $60,000 through fundraising events like the fire truck pull on June 10, cut-a-thons and proceeds from the student production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” said Kathleen Delaney, event coordinator for MPT.
“The extra money will be saved for next year’s recipient,” Delaney said. “We hope this will continue year after year.”
One of the drawings at the June 10 fundraising event was a free trip to Bermuda. New York resident Dennis Pazovano won.
“Jon picked the lucky ticket,” Pazovano said with a smile.
MPT has received support from local government, education and business leaders, fire and law enforcement departments and civic groups.
Verges moved to Metuchen from New York while he was in middle school. He lives with his aunt, Maria, and his grandmother, Hilda Calix, who adopted him. Calix also uses a wheelchair.
“Five years ago, I decided to buy a house and have everyone live together,” said Maria Verges. “But still with this house, Jonathan had to pretty much stay in his bedroom. Now with the van, I might have to hide the keys.”
Verges’ family and friends were overcome with emotion.
“This brings us happiness,” said Jonathan’s aunt, Felicita Calix, with tears in her eyes. “We are very proud of Jonathan. He is a good boy.”
Calix came from Ponce, Puerto Rico, to see her nephew Jonathan’s graduation.
“I also came today to celebrate,” she said.
At one point Vahalla, Greene and Johnson gave Verges a teary group hug. But Verges reassured them that he would be back.
“Don’t cry,” he said. “I’ll be back to visit.”
Verges is considering a career in sound recording. “I’m recording an album with my friend, Michael Yasin,” he said. “I’m hoping for it to come out in July.”
Thursday marked the last day of high school for Verges, where he was dubbed “Mr. Congeniality” and “Mayor of Metuchen High School.”
“If he had it his way and they let him, Jonathan would stay in high school forever,” Maria Verges said.
What are his plans for the first day with the new van?
“My friend is coming over to see the van,” he said. “We are definitely going to celebrate. We’ll see what we can do.”