‘Hometown Hero’ donates tracked wheelchair to Mondovi boy

Mondovi (WQOW) – On Monday, a Wisconsin man surprised a young boy with a gift that will take him places he could never go before, and that service isn’t going unrecognized.

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Mike Bahr of Milwaukee, caught the eye of American Heroes Outdoors (AHO) TV and has been designated the next SCHEELS Hometown Hero.

“In Mike’s case, people just knew him,” said Scott St. Sauver, host of AHO. “They called me and they said ‘Hey, we got this guy named Mike Bahr. He is a full-time firefighter, but you’re not going to believe what he does in this little non-profit called Rutting Ridge Foundation, providing these track mobility devices for these young kids.”

Bahr’s and his partner, and president of Rutting, Jarrad Fluekiger’s work has given kids with disabilities opportunities and freedom they never thought possible, through tracked wheelchairs that can run on rougher terrain.

“When we started providing the kids these chairs, we realized it lets them be able to get out on their own and play and do their own thing, and get to areas they would would never normally be able to access,” Bahr said.

Ryan Allemann’s family applied to the foundation, hoping he’d get one of his own.

“He has spina bifida,” said Bahr. “So, it’s something that he’s been born with, but he is not able to obviously walk because of that.”

Monday, Ryan got his wish, and for the Allemann family, Ryan’s new ability to explore the outdoors like never before is life-changing.

“He’ll get to go with everybody now, and keep up with his brothers,” said Makenzie Allemann, Ryan’s mother.

“Now we won’t be able to keep up with him,” said Matthew Allemann, Ryan’s father.

For more information on Rutting Ridge Foundation, visit their website.