Following is the Interview with Richard Flanders, former Governor of District 5170 in California, USA, highlighting the delivery of a container of 130 wheelchairs to the United Rotary Fund of Mexico, in memory of Kenneth Behring and Frank Devlyn.
At the YMCA facilities in Mexico City, there was a gathering including Presidents from 10 Rotary Clubs from District 4170, representatives from the Wheelchair Foundation, Rotarians from District 5170, as well as recipients of the wheelchairs.
Ernesto Benítez Valle: It is a pleasure to have you here in the offices of Rotary in Mexico. How many times have you been in Mexico City?
Richard Flanders: I have been to Mexico several times, but this is my second time in Mexico City.
How long have you been a Rotarian?
I joined Rotary in 1994, so I have been a Rotarian for 28 years and when I joined, I was 28 years old.
What was your experience as District Governor?
It was a challenge due to the pandemic. Membership has always been a challenge, especially in the last two years. It was a primary focus during my year. We were also able to work with all clubs to contribute to The Rotary Foundation, raising 2.8 million, a huge success! In terms of wheelchairs, the original goal was to collect one container representing 42,000 dollars, but this project has been so popular that we were able to collect much more, totaling 5 containers of wheelchairs.
How did the idea about wheelchairs come about?
It emerged three years ago when I came to Mexico City and I was part of a team to deliver wheelchairs in this city. Frank Devlyn coordinated the last distribution in 2019 and, therefore, I wanted to return to Mexico City to bring another container of chairs, because it is very satisfying to help the people who can’t buy one. It touches my heart in the deepest way.
Who joined you for this trip?
There are 31 Rotarians and four children from my district on this trip. Many had never been to a wheelchair distribution event and some have never participated in any international projects. I believe that this project and the experience of being in another country with people who need the wheelchairs will touch their hearts and many will want to do more when they get back to their Rotary clubs.
What was the best moment of this project?
The best moment is being able to support people who need help, when we give something to people who can’t buy it on their own, and by doing that, we improve their lives. The second best moment is when all of us who are here providing
wheelchairs have our lives changed as well. First-timers will want to do more in Rotary or in different humanitarian projects for people who need our help as a result of this experience.
Why do you work with FURMEX?
Frank Devlyn introduced us to FURMEX three years ago. Reiner assured us that by working with FURMEX, we would know that the funds and goods we buy and we send will reach the intended beneficiaries instead of going to different sources that might not deliver them. This is the reason we work with FURMEX.
What is your final message for the people in Mexico?
Rotary is an organization that has networks around the world and through this organization we can do a lot of good things to support people who need our help. Rotary is a great organization for its global presence with clubs throughout the world. This network ensures that the assets and funds we collect will reach the right place because we trust Rotarians in other parts of the world, since we have so much in common: Rotary.
Reiner Kurt Jahn
President , Fondo Unido Rotario de México , A.C.
Thanks to the generosity of District 5170 (led by now PDG) Richard Flanders and the Wheelchair Foundation from California, we received a container of wheelchairs at FURMEX. The intention was to donate to the Rotary Club Frank Devlyn International in memory of Frank Devlyn, founder of FURMEX and said club, as well as in memory by Kenneth Behring founder of the Wheelchair Foundation.
Together with participating Rotary clubs, we have delivered more than 100 chairs to the beneficiaries of Mexico City and communities in the State of Mexico. We established strong links with Rotarians in California and spread the spirit of Rotary and FURMEX with the support of the media.
I want to congratulate the 15 Rotary clubs who participated with great dedication, as well as to the Rotaract and Interact youth of District 4170 who spread their enthusiasm by helping during all phases of the wheelchair distribution.
THANK YOU to everyone who “raised awareness and took action” to make this delivery of wheelchairs possible to all beneficiaries, improving their quality of life.
