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A Day of Healing-Prishtina, Kosovo

Elder_Wondra_largeRepresentatives from six ethnically diverse groups who were affected by the Balkan Wars as recent as 1999, came together for a “day of healing” to receive 500 wheelchairs donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Wheelchair Foundation.  The donation was made to the Association of Paraplegics and Handicapped Children of Kosovo (HANDIKOS) in Prishtina, the capitol of Kosovo, on January 29, 2004. 

Dr. Bajram Rexhepi, Prime Minister of Kosovo, and a physician who is dedicated to the needs of the physically and mentally handicapped, hosted the presentation ceremony and expressed that the Kosovar leaders were united in distributing the wheelchairs to people in need without regard to ethnic origin, religion, or nationality.  He saw the project as a tangible example of people’s ability to work for peace and reconciliation in a struggling region. 

Elder Johann Wondra, Area Authority Seventy from the Europe Central Area,
presented the wheelchairs to Mr. Halit Ferizi, president of HANDIKOS, who is confined to a wheelchair himself.  Elder Wondra told the recipients that it was his “hope and prayer that these wheelchairs may help you gain mobility to achieve your full potential in this world, that you may be blessed with the power to overcome the trials of your life”.

Suzana Krstiq, one of the wheelchair recipients, was carried to the presentation ceremony by her mother who has provided continuous care for her daughter for 18 years.  Suzana’s mother expressed her gratitude for a wheelchair and stated that both of their lives would now be improved. 

Other distinguished guests attending the ceremony were Mr. Harri Holkeri, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations; Mrs. Marcie Ries, Chief of Mission, of the U.S. Office-Prishtina; Major General Giuseppe Gay, Deputy Commander KFOR (United Nations Peace Keeping Force); Dr. Valon Murtezaj, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister; Dr. Resmije Mumcu, representing the Minister of Health; Mr. Behxhet Brajshori, Minister of Culture; the Mayor of Prishtina and many other guests from churches and the community.

Humanitarian Service missionaries, Elder and Sister Patrick McReaken, from the Croatia Zagreb Mission, organized the event.

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Hope, Mobility and Freedom Delivered to Pohnpei

Menikewe_Borong_Wheelchair_largeMenikewe Borong heard her name broadcast over the local radio station as one of 250 people who would receive a new wheelchair because of a donation made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Wheelchair Foundation.  She arrived early at the Pohnpei State Hospital and waited patiently as dozens of wheelchairs were being distributed to those who, for many years, could not afford a wheelchair on their own. With a big smile on her face, she told the Church representative, Bill Davis, that now she can get out of the house and do things that she couldn’t before. She especially looks forward to going shopping and attending her Church meetings at a nearby Protestant church.

Many people, like Menikewe, are diabetic and there is a high amputation rate amongst the local islanders. The economic situation of most of the local people is such that only a select few, (less than 10%) can afford the cost of a new wheelchair, which normally costs over $375.00. Wincener J. David, Acting Director of the Pohnpei State Department of Health Services, said that the donation of the wheelchairs is a great blessing for this new administration. He also said that it is a miracle for these people to be able to receive a wheelchair for free.

Jack Yakana, the Lieutenant Governor of Pohnpei, was on hand at the ceremony to distribute the wheelchairs. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the Church and the Wheelchair Foundation for this great donation to the people of Pohnpei. He said that the Church has been extremely generous in their recent donations to the hospital, schools and to those truly in need. He thanked President Lanser Edward, Pohnpei District President, and Bill Davis, Micronesia-Guam Service Center Manager, for coordinating this donation to the people of Pohnpei.

In June of 2000, Kenneth E. Behring, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks football team, established the Wheelchair Foundation in an effort to bring mobility to as many people as possible. The goal of the Foundation and its sponsors is to distribute 1 million wheelchairs in the next 5 years.

For many years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been actively involved in humanitarian relief and development activities throughout the world.  Programs such as the above are funded by donations from members of the Church and others. These programs help children and families of all nationalities and religions by relieving suffering, helping people help themselves, and providing opportunities for service.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pays for half of the cost of the wheelchairs as well as all of the expenses related to their distribution.

For more information, please contact Janice Lodholm or Bill Davis at (671) 646-9291 or fax (671) 646-9293.

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Local Heroes Change Lives

concord_happy_lady_largeIn a model of private partners working together to bring hope, mobility and freedom to those who are in need but cannot afford a wheelchair, the Wheelchair Foundation will join today with Contra Costa Professional Firefighters (IAFF Local 1230), Wells Fargo Bank and Catholic Charities of the East Bay to present new wheelchairs to 30 people at St. Bonaventure Parish at 1 pm.

This marks the first combined effort between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the nonprofit Foundation, and will serve as a model to be used in communities throughout the United States and Canada.  The IAFF has supported the fight against muscular dystrophy, providing over $200 million since 1954, and $18.3 million last September on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.  Front line firefighters will distribute wheelchairs on Wednesday.  Catholic Charities identified the recipients in Contra Costa County, and will host the event.

The Wheelchair Foundation, founded in 2000 by Kenneth E. Behring, has delivered more than 200,000 wheelchairs in over 100 countries, with a goal of delivering one million wheelchairs in the next five years.  The Concord event follows the distribution of 5,000 wheelchairs in September 2003 in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is part of some 10,000 wheelchairs currently being distributed each and every month worldwide by the Foundation.

“We are very excited to be involved with organizations that are coming together in this special effort,” said Chris Lewis, director of public education for the Wheelchair Foundation, and son of MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis.  “Lives are changed when people are given a wheelchair that they couldn’t otherwise have afforded.”

Wells Fargo Bank of Rossmoor donated funds matched by the Foundation to provide a total of 140 wheelchairs in Contra Costa County, which will be distributed in collaboration with their front line first responders from Contra Costa and IAFF.

“The firefighters are our heroes who let us sleep well at night knowing they are there to protect us,” said Debbie Roessler, retired Wells Fargo Assistant Vice President.  “We are proud that they are doing so much to help us in our local communities, and are now distributing these beautiful fire-engine red wheelchairs.”

“Our commitment to protect the community doesn’t end when we go off-shift,” said Lou Paulson, President of Contra Costa Professional Firefighters.  “These wheelchairs will give comfort and safety to those less fortunate, and we are proud to be able to offer our services in this cause.”

WHAT: Presentation ceremony of 30 wheelchairs to recipients at St. Bonaventure Parish of Concord, CA by the Wheelchair Foundation and International Association of Fire Fighters; wheelchairs sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank of Rossmoor; event hosted by Catholic Charities of the East Bay

WHEN: Wednesday, January 21, 2004, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

WHERE:  St. Bonaventure Parish, 5562 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA

WHO:  Wheelchair Foundation; Contra Costa Professional Firefighters (IAFF Local 1230); Wells Fargo Bank of Rossmoor; Catholic Charities of the East Bay (510) 768-3139

 

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Post-distribution comments:

Lou Paulson, President of Contra Costa Professional Firefighters
Having Chris Lewis come forward and approach the IAFF to partner with the Wheelchair Foundation in helping to distribute wheelchairs in the US and Canada made it easy to embrace the idea.  These are good people doing good work, and it is a natural fit for us.  Firefighters are exposed to people every day that are in need of mobility assistance, and we are very proud to be involved with the mission of the Wheelchair Foundation.  We look forward to helping as many people as we can throughout North America, and being able to see lives of families changed in an immediate and positive way.

Debbie Roessler, retired Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank of Rossmoor
This wheelchair distribution was really neat!  Often times Wells Fargo will send a check and then we never see where it ends up going.  It was great to see that these wheelchairs will be so helpful here in our local community.  Our focus at Wells Fargo Foundation is to help our communities, and this was a perfect fit.  I’m a member of the Rotary Club of Moraga and we sponsored a 280 wheelchair container to Mexicali, Mexico last March.  I can’t wait to go on another wheelchair distribution.

Father Richard Mangini, Pastor St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
I was very pleased that we were able to participate in the distribution of these wheelchairs.  Many people need our help, and these wheelchairs will allow the recipients to live a much fuller and more independent life. Solomon Belette, Program Director, Catholic Charities of the East Bay
We are very blessed to be able to partner with the Wheelchair Foundation, the Contra Costa Professional Firefighters and Wells Fargo Bank to bring mobility into the lives of people without the ability to help themselves.  Our collaboration is one of sincere purpose and compassion to bring mobility into the lives of our neighbors in need.

Margaret Dowling, Radio personality and wheelchair recipient at the distribution
I was in a head on car accident in 1983 and since then I have been in a wheelchair.  Now I do a lot of community and civic work.  I host a volunteer radio program and am on the Contra Costa Advisory Council. My wheelchair is essential to helping me stay in tune with the community.  I have to wait 7 more years before I qualify for a new electric wheelchair and mine is already breaking down, so the manual wheelchair I received today will really help me in my active life.

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Wheelchair Organization Offers Hope and Mobility to Disabled Angolans

Angola_boy_largeStrengthening its commitment to sub-Saharan Africa, the Wheelchair Foundation, in partnership with ChevronTexaco and the Dallas, Texas District of Rotary International, will give more than 950 wheelchairs to Angolans injured by landmines.  ChevronTexaco is the parent company of Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (Cabgoc) the operator of Block 0 in Angola, representing the members of the Cabinda Association, Sonangol, Total and Eni.

The donation, which will be made Tuesday, December 16, 2003 in Luanda, Angola, will bring the number of wheelchairs the organization has distributed in the war-torn country to 3,240.

First Lady Ana Paula dos Santos, whose Lwini Foundation has worked to provide wheelchairs to Angolans injured by landmines, will attend the distribution on behalf of the Angolan government.  Mrs. dos Santos has elevated public awareness of the dangers of landmines through her support of the late Princess Diana’s worldwide campaign to ban the hidden explosives.

“Our sincere hope is that these wheelchairs, more than simply providing mobility, will restore dignity, hope, and freedom to a people who have suffered so deeply from the ill effects of war in recent years,” said Joel Hodge, regional operations director for the Wheelchair Foundation.

Angola has more disabled citizens per capita than any other country in the world.  An estimated 20 percent of the country’s 12 million people are physically impaired, many as a result of injuries from landmines left over from years of civil war.

ChevronTexaco and the Dallas Rotarians, who have been longtime supporters of the Wheelchair Foundation, have a strong commitment to helping improve the lives of the disabled around the globe.

“When you see the gratitude on the faces of the wheelchair recipients, you understand how meaningful this contribution is to them,” said Jim Blackwell, managing director of the Southern Africa Business Unit of ChevronTexaco.  “We’re pleased to participate in this life-changing program.”

This is ChevronTexaco’s third contribution of wheelchairs in the past four years and is part of the company’s initiative to partner with communities around the globe where it conducts business.

“All we can do is our small part, but what a part it is,” said Oran Bain, international service director for Rotary District 5810.  “With 26,000 people injured or killed by landmines around the world each year, I can’t think of a better investment of our resources than with the gift of a wheelchair.”

The Wheelchair Foundation was founded in 2000 by Kenneth E. Behring, an American philanthropist, after he saw the look of hope in a young Romanian girl’s eyes when she received a wheelchair.  Since its inception, the Foundation has delivered more than 200,000 wheelchairs to every corner of the globe, including a recent distribution of 5,000 wheelchairs to Afghanistan.

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Some of the Things to be Thankful For

While we’re counting our blessings today, here are a few more to take note of:

BIG WHEELS: Members of the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce of Santa Clara Valley were just getting started when they aired a plea on their bilingual radio show (“San Jose Weekend Radio AM 1500“), seeking aid for Kaitlyn Langstaff. Listeners quickly donated more than $5,000 to help the 9-year-old Saratoga girl in her battle against the effects of an adverse medical reaction.

Encouraged, chamber officials next went on-air for donations to the Wheelchair Foundation, which provides wheelchairs for the needy worldwide. Again, listeners quickly responded—$12,000 contributed after only two announcements by radio hosts Thuanand H.G. Nguyen. So more announcements were made. Instead of the original goal of 100 wheelchairs, the chamber now is working on three shipping containers of them—720 wheelchairs in all, with donations of $108,000. “We haven’t reached our new goal yet, but we are confident,” H.G. Nguyen says. “It does not matter how good or bad the economy is. An altruist person always has means for a good cause.”

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