Do it Best grant funds safer gym at Abilities First in Montgomery

An $18,000 grant from the Do it Best Charitable Foundation will pay for protective wall mats and other safety features in the gym at Abilities First in Montgomery, a change designed to make physical education and therapy safer for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Orange County.

The upgrade matters because the gym is not just a place for exercise. It is part of the school day, where students build motor skills, confidence and social connection through movement-based activities. By softening hard surfaces and adding protection around the room, the project is intended to let more children take part fully in daily instruction without the same risk of injury.

The funding came through Do it Best’s employee-led giving program, and a team of five local employees selected Abilities First for support after learning how directly the work would improve safety. Jason Kretschmer, the company’s general manager, said the project resonated with employees because it removes a barrier and creates opportunity for students to learn and grow. The local choice also reflected the company’s presence in Montgomery, where Do it Best lists a location at 650 Neelytown Road.

Jeff Fox, president and CEO of Abilities First, said the grant addresses a real need and will help students participate more fully in physical activity while building confidence, motor skills and social connection in a safe environment. Abilities First has served the Hudson Valley since 1962 and now supports more than 1,300 people through educational, residential, employment and community programs.

The organization says its mission is that all people with disabilities live the life they choose. Its programs include community education, art and movement enrichment, support coordination, early intervention and employment services, along with outreach and advocacy aimed at promoting inclusion in schools, workplaces and the broader community.

Do it Best said its foundation and the True Value Foundation operate as one entity and were launched in March 2020 to channel grants into local communities. The Montgomery gift comes as the company has also said in 2026 that it is relocating its Montgomery distribution center operations to existing warehouse space in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania as part of an optimization plan. In the gym at Abilities First, though, the impact of this grant will be immediate and visible: a safer space for students who need it every day.