Bus pull raises $22,455 for Sarasota nonprofit

For Lakewood Ranch's Nick Lapinski, a 25-year-old who has autism, finding an employer willing to hire him was a struggle.

With the help of the nonprofit, Inclusion Revolution, he was able to put his love for cars to good use and he now works full time at Sarasota Ford. 

Six months after his first day, seven of his coworkers joined him to compete in the Bus Pull for Inclusion at Nathan Benderson Park on March 14. 

Ten teams competed to see which team could pull a 20-ton Sarasota County Breeze Transit bus a distance of 30 feet the fastest.

"Today felt really good," Lapinski said. "My co-workers came and helped our team and I was happy they were there."

Inclusion Revolution was founded by Sarasota's Beaver Shriver in 2019. The nonprofit's purpose is to provide those with challenges — including autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and more — with resources to secure employment, job training and/or transportation to a job. 

Lapinski's parents — Sarah Brooks and James Brooks — also participated in the bus pull.

"We remain deeply grateful for the work Beaver (Shriver) and Inclusion Revolution are doing," Sarah Brooks said. "They are creating opportunities and changing the trajectory of employment for individuals with disabilities. Their work truly changes lives."

"It's about celebrating those people with disabilities who have forever been forgotten, excluded, isolated, or sent to institutions," Shriver said. "The time for all that is over and we need to celebrate them and give them a place to shine.They might have one disability, but they've got a million other abilities and we need to allow those to be seen."

Inclusion Revolution partners with The Haven, another nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Bradenton's Janelle Bronaugh, who also participated in the bus pull, works as a direct support professional at the Haven.

"Being part of the bus pull was exciting and meaningful," Bronaugh said. "The people we support and my coworkers feel like a second family to me and the individuals we serve are like the children I never had."

Dylan Mayes lives at The Haven and he said pulling the bus was the experience of a lifetime. 

"I threw out my back twice, ... but hey, I'm still alive and still breathing," Mayes said. "I was doing some stretching and getting my mind to focus. If you put your mind, your heart, and your strength in it, those are the three key points of being a champion."

Sarasota's Kelley Rouse, who has down syndrome, had lots of fun pulling the bus. 

"I’m loving it, look at my muscles!" she said. 

Debbie Rouse, Kelley's mom, said she appreciates how many opportunities Inclusion Revolution opens for her daughter.

"It's getting our kids out in the community to show that they have great abilities and skills," Debbie Rouse said. "They can be included in everything and I like the fact that Beaver (Shrivere) is making our community more aware. Don't look at the disability, look at the abilities that they have."