KC MADE (from the heart)
Austin Bussel, a senior at Bonner Springs High School, crafted a beautiful pecan bed frame with metal beams to raise money for Camp Quality in Northwest Missouri. Austin was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 years old and has either attended Camp Quality or volunteered as a counselor from the age of 6 to last summer. Camp Quality serves children with cancer and their families by providing year-round programs, experiences, and companionship at no cost.
As Austin prepares to graduate high school and enter the working world, he wanted to use his carpentry skills to give back to the camp that was such a special part of his childhood. He designed and created a bed for auction at the 2018 Greater Kansas City Home Show’s second annual KC MADE competition.
“I can’t go to Camp Quality this year to be a counselor because I’ll be working most of the time, but I wanted to give back somehow and that’s why I made this bed,” Bussell said.
It’s Austin’s second year to submit a project to the KC MADE competition, and he welcomed the chance to support Camp Quality while improving his craftsmanship.
“Of course, I feel like it could be better, but overall I’m happy with it,” Bussell said. “I built a bed (for KC MADE) last year, so I wanted to do the
same thing but add a little more perfection to it.”
Austin’s bed frame was auctioned off for more than $400.
Materials for Bussell’s bed were donated by Custom Welding & Fabrication Inc.