Wheeler McKiethen, a 16-year-old high school junior from Massachusetts, traveled to the Northeast on Easter Sunday morning to deliver baskets for 210 residents and staff.
Wheeler and his dad, who has the same name and formerly lived in Philadelphia, made the five-hour-plus drive to Accela Rehab and Care Center, at 650 Edison Ave. The teenager’s uncle, Lance King, has been a resident of Accela for two years.
The baskets were filled with items such as Peeps, gummy bears, cotton candy, chocolate and lollipops.
Wheeler spent almost two months and more than 100 hours to fill the baskets for the elderly and disabled residents and employees of Accela. He used his savings to brighten the holiday for others rather than spend it on clothing and sneakers for himself.
At Accela, he, his dad and staff distributed the baskets.
Wheeler, who excels as a member of Community Rowing Inc., last year produced a documentary that spotlighted the challenges facing Kensington. ••
