Fulfilling their vision to ‘lend a hand,’ the Staples High School Enable 3D club expects to ship its first prosthetic hand in the coming months as a licensed chapter of  Enabling the Future, an organization whose mission is to make free and low-cost prosthetic upper limb devices for people in need.

Founded two years ago by Hugo Jacques and Sebastian Rodriguez, Staples Enable 3D was established when Jacques approached his Creative Technology Solutions class teacher, Dr. Humphrey Wong, about creating the club to be able to finish his class project. Now 35 members strong and mission-driven, the club meets Fridays after school and offers members many opportunities to learn.

“Using my love for 3D modeling and printing to make a significant difference is something really special to me about this club,” said Jacob Rybchin, a member of the club. “Whether it’s making hands or teaching kids how to 3D model and print, my friends and I are using our passion to teach and enrich the lives of others.”

In the club’s first two years, they have managed to raise $3,700+ dollars toward much needed new equipment to create more hands for Enabling the Future. Their  GoFundMe page describes the investments they are making and what they still need to be able to upgrade the 3D printers with models requiring less maintenance and can produce with greater speed, purchase higher quality printing plastics and to buy materials that support the production, storage and shipping process.

“In addition to building hands, members are learning how to fundraise and getting the opportunity to create marketing presentations, lesson plans and social media awareness campaigns,” said Jacques. “It’s a great opportunity to combine interest and knowledge into a strong foundation while getting to help the world.” Watch a recent  News 12 CT story about the club.