SawStop Donates Saws and Accessories to 6 Disabled Woodworkers

TUALATIN, OREGON—October 25, 2024: SawStop has donated over $10,000 of table saws and accessories to six disabled woodworkers across the United States. Working with the Katz-Moses Woodworkers with Disabilities Fund, a nonprofit charity based in California, SawStop is helping these people overcome their physical and mental disabilities to create and build with wood—all the while knowing their hands are protected by SawStop’s revolutionary finger-saving table saw technology.

Brandon Nance

Ken Daliege

JP Barmer (right)

Pasquale “Pat” Russo

SawStop’s Charitable Giveaway began earlier this year, accepting over 100 submissions from various nonprofit organizations and individuals. The Katz-Moses Woodworkers with Disabilities Fund (KMWDF)  was selected from among those entries primarily because of its mission to help as many people as possible. Among the six recipients the KMWDF chose are two U.S. Navy veterans, two persons with significant paralysis, one person who is legally blind, and another with an intellectual disability. Two already have SawStop table saws, so the accessories they receive will further help them continue to work safely while adding greater accuracy and ease of use.

“We want to encourage people from all walks of life and all levels of skill and ability to take up woodworking,” said SawStop CEO Matt Howard. “We want to help these six to feel better and enjoy working with wood. And above all, we want them to be safe while using a table saw. That’s why we’re thrilled to provide them with SawStop table saws and related products to ensure they can cut wood safely and with confidence. And that confidence and peace of mind will shine through in the work they create.”

Following are brief summaries of the six recipients and the products they have received:

• John Philip “JP” Barmer, Spring Hill, Tennessee: JP is a paraplegic with no control of his legs, but has full function in his arms. Unfortunately, JP has twice suffered hand injuries on his older table saw. So his new SawStop Contractor Saw will bring him increased performance, accuracy, and, most importantly, a level of safety and peace of mind like never before.
• Cullen Kyser, Salem, Ohio: Cullen medically retired from the Navy after 10 years of service. He suffers from various disabilities to his back and legs as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a depressive disorder. He sees woodworking as a path forward in life and looks forward to making outdoor furniture, custom cornhole boards, and gifts for other service members. His new SawStop Contractor Saw will be the anchor in his workshop for many years to come.
• Ken Daliege, Eastpointe, Michigan: Ken is legally blind but can still see enough to do some woodworking. He previously received a SawStop Contractor Saw from KMWDF, and now has received a Sliding Crosscut Table for his saw to help him make more accurate crosscuts and miter cuts.
• Pasquale “Pat” Russo, Las Vegas, Nevada: Pat had also previously received a saw, a SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw, from KMWDF, and he also now gets a Sliding Crosscut Table. Pat was injured in a car accident at age 16 that left him a quadriplegic with limited use of his arms. Nevertheless, Pat continues to make various projects and sells end-grain cutting boards online.
• Brandon Nance, West Richland, Washington: Brandon suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Navy and now also battles numerous musculoskeletal injuries and PTSD. He likes to make cutting boards, knife blocks, fireplace mantels, cabinets, and home décor. So his new SawStop Contractor Saw will be a welcome addition to Brandon’s shop.
• Kendrick “Kenny” Teis, Rockford, Michigan: Kenny has been working general construction since he was 14 years old despite an intellectual disability. He and his mother, Amanda, got into woodworking together through a local woodworking store and now, along with another young man, make bird houses under their business “Bird Bros. Birdhouses.” Kenny’s new SawStop Compact Table Saw with folding stand will certainly help him and the others cut wood safely as they grow their business.

“We’re thrilled and humbled to have been selected as the recipient for SawStop’s charitable grant,” said Chris Giffrow, Executive Director of KMWDF. “Safety saws are far and away the number one most requested tool by our disabled applicants. SawStop getting these tools in their hands demonstrates their commitment to shop safety and the disabled woodworking community.”

SawStop remains committed to making woodworking safer and more accessible to wider audiences. As a result, we are constantly striving for innovative solutions to improve and expand on our product offerings. SawStop plans to do more charitable donations in the future.

About SawStop

Established in 2000, SawStop is the world leader in power tool safety. SawStop designs, engineers, and manufactures innovative woodworking power tools and accessories for private and professional markets. All SawStop power tools feature our revolutionary safety technology that has saved tens of thousands of woodworkers and jobsite professionals from devastating, life-changing injuries. SawStop is a proud part of the TTS Group, a third-generation, family-owned company headquartered in Wendlingen, Germany.

Learn more at SawStop.com

Media Contact: Laurie Barton, Director of Marketing, [email protected], 503-506-5438