COAL GROVE — A community-wide effort to win Devyn Pritchard a wheelchair accessible van from a National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association contest fell short earlier this year.

“You could tell (Devyn’s mother, Becky Johnson) was disappointed,” Jeri Brown, one of Johnson’s coworkers at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, said about Devyn not winning the van. “She’s never asked for anything. She has always worked to provide Devyn’s daily needs.”

Pritchard, who turns 16 on Aug. 5, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 11 months old. He has been in a wheelchair since he was 9.

Efforts to raise money for a handicapped accessible bathroom are now underway.

“Dollars for Devyn” will take place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Flatwoods City Park. There will be live music all day and MJ McKay from WLGC radio will broadcast remotely from the event. There will also be face-painting, concessions, cake walk, split the pot, raffles, a silent auction, dunking booths, inflatables, balloon animals and other games.

“We are trying to raise enough money so Devyn will be able to go in the bathroom and do things like brush his teeth, use the bathroom and take showers with little assistance,” Johnson said. “Right now we are having to help him with all of those needs. We would like him to have a little freedom and independence so he doesn’t feel like he can’t do anything on his own.”

Vendors can sign up by contacting Brown at 606-585-2836 or Cece Mulvaney at 606-923-4880.

“We welcome any vendors who want to come,” Brown said.

The estimated cost of converting the bathroom is more than $10,000. Johnson also started a fundraising effort on the website www.gofundme.com. To donate via the website visit www.gofundme.com/ammys0.