Injured Quaid Mobus Getting Boost from Watchung Hills HS

It's been three months since Quaid Mobus of Warren was badly injured in an ATV accident in the back country of Pennsylvania that left him with severe spinal damage that means he now will be in a wheelchair as he continues work on his physical rehabilitation.

Now Mobus, who turned 22 on Oct. 31, will be coming home to his Warren Township home, which already has been undergoing renovations with the help of donated funds and "helpful hands" to accommodate his needs, said family friend Carrie Isler.

Those funds have come from multiple fundraisers and a flurry of donations, whether for a gala fundraiser in late November that drew more than 200 attendees, a fire department "game" that drew crowds, and the establishment of an initial cloud funding site that raise enough to install a lift in his family's Warren home, Isler said.

Mobus has spent most of his time since the accident at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in East Orange. While there, has been progressing steadily from the start, when he initially had to rely on a breathing tube, according to his supporters and the Support Quaid Mobus Facebook page.

Mobus is a 2010 Watchung Hills High School graduate, and his former school this week started a campaign to get the different grade levels to contribute funds for another necessity — a specially equipped van. Students at different grade levels are competing to see which part of the van they can "purchase."

A letter about the fundraising effort on the Watchung Hills High School website describes how Mobus was injured in the ATV accident in Pennsylvania on the night before his sister’s wedding. 

The letter says many local volunteers have donated their time and talent to help the Mobus family make their house handicapped‐accessible. 

"As you can imagine, the renovation of the home is overwhelming in and of itself," the letter says. "However, another major issue for the Mobus family is the question of how to transport Quaid to and from rehabilitation, doctor’s appointments and family outings." 

The letter says that while the community has been "outstanding" in supporting Mobus, his family still is in need of a van equipped to carry a wheelchair. "Without a van, Quaid will be homebound," he said.

The All School and Grade Level Councils at Watchung Hills are working together to raise funds for the purchase of the van, according to the website.

The groups are in discussions with some car dealerships to see if the cost can be made more more manageable. 

"To make it a little more competitive (and fun) for the student body, we have divided the van into various parts for purchase," the website said.

Each grade will be responsible for one piece of the van, with divisions as follows:

Freshmen: Wheels (tires and rims); sophomores: handicap lift and other modifications; juniors: vehicle body; and seniors: Engine

Any and all donations are welcome, the website says.

To donate to the Quaid Mobus fund, those donating should send a check made out to WHRHS to:

Watchung Hills Regional High School, Attn. Laura Goodson or Maureen Kelly, 108 Stirling Rd. Warren, NJ 07059

Please note in the memo section which grade level should be credited for the donation, the website says.