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Get Marty: Locals Donate Equipment, Labor For Boy With Special Needs

PLUM (KDKA) -- People from all over the community have stepped up to help a 7-year-old boy with special needs from Plum.

Jeremy Gratton's family reached out to KDKA'S Get Marty in January.

"I am so thankful for what you have done for us. You are my Guardian Angels," says Nikki Gratton.

Jeremy is diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He needed medical equipment for his home. The Gratton home also needed a new porch and a retaining wall for the driveway.

Crews from all over the region responded to Marty Griffin and the Get Marty Team's request for help.

"We love to help folks in need. We love to step up when folks ask for help," says Steven Mazza with the carpenters union.

Mazza had carpenters working on the house for several days. Moscaro construction crews worked in 90-degree heat in order to build a retaining wall in the Gratton Family driveway.

"I love to help folks. When my family needed help, we got it. This is my way of giving back," says Joe Ponsi with Ponsi Shoes.

The Ponsi family donated a $12,000 lift for Jeremy's care.

"This is the business we're in. We help people," says Joe Slepecki of 101 Mobility. Slepecki donated a $9,000 Lift Car that will allow Jeremy to be moved up and down stairs.

"It's perfect for a child," says Slepecki.

None of the equipment donated by the business is covered by insurance.

"We couldn't afford any of it. It made it such a struggle," says Jeremy's mom Nikki.

All told, including labor cost and equipment, volunteers and local companies donated nearly $75,000 to the effort to help Jeremy.

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