one by one®: Pushing Boundaries
Pushing Boundaries is a nonprofit paralysis therapy center in Redmond, Washington. It offers intensive exercise therapy for individuals living with paralysis from any associated neurological diagnosis. This includes spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries and strokes, or neurological movement disorders, like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, among others. “Basically, anyone with a neurological-based movement disorder is a potential client we can serve and assist,” said Amanda Koppes, development director.
Recognizing a need
Washington couple Allan and Sharon Northrup founded the organization 19 years ago after Allan sustained a spinal cord injury in a car crash. As a result, the couple had to travel to various out-of-state facilities for the type of rehabilitation he needed to continue his functional recovery—an experience that led to them to establish a facility to support people in similar circumstances. Pushing Boundaries became, and remains, the only nonprofit exercise-based therapy center in the Pacific Northwest.
Each month, the center provides an average of 400 hours of therapy, while working with upwards of 65 clients per year. As a nonprofit, the staff is small, with a senior leadership team of three plus five exercise therapists working in client services.
Though the team may be small, its impact can change lives. Among the organization’s points of pride is its high-tech robotic equipment used to assist clients. Koppes said certain technology Pushing Boundaries uses isn’t available anywhere else in the Northwest.
Ready for the ballpark with promotional backpacks
For the first time, Pushing Boundaries collaborated with the Seattle Mariners® for a group outing and fundraiser during a game at T-Mobile Park®. A team of Pushing Boundaries staff members and supporters represented the organization at a nationally televised game in August. “They are great with community support,” Koppes said.
To rally support and boost attendance, clear promotional backpacks were purchased using a one by one grant. They helped encourage ticket purchases and served as a thank-you gifts for staff. These clear, reusable backpacks not only meet ballpark security standards but also serve as eye-catching promotional tools that will elevate the nonprofit’s visibility at future sporting events and beyond.
“Grants like this are immeasurably important for an organization like ours,” Koppes said. “We are constantly looking for ways to get our name, our logo and our information out into the community, and we don’t have a large budget for promotional items. It’s hugely important for our mission and expanding our reach.”
A note from Cheryl
Pushing Boundaries is an inspiring organization, and we were proud to help its team increase awareness by providing promotional backpacks. Here’s hoping more people gain access to the life-changing exercise therapy it provides. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.com.
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