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Articles from the Wheelchair Foundation headquarters in Danville, CA and major news source outlets.

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Wheelchair Recycling Round Up

Wheelchair Foundation Wheelchair Recycling Round-Up & Sponsorship Event

WHO: The Wheelchair Foundation, Berkeley area Starbucks stores, the City of Berkeley, and local merchants.

WHAT: Holiday gift giving of a new life?Recycle an old wheelchair or sponsor a new Wheelchair.

WHEN: Sunday, November 25th to Sunday, December 2nd, 2001

WHERE: Used wheelchairs and mobility equipment may be dropped off at the Wheelchair Recycling Center, 2136 Center Street, Berkeley between the hours of 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

New wheelchairs may be sponsored at the following Berkeley area Starbucks Coffee.

Stores: 2128 Oxford Street, 2224 Shattuck Ave, 1799 Solano Ave., and 1600 Shattuck Ave.

A Wheelchair Foundation representative will host each store. 6:00 am to 9:00pm.

WHY: To raise awareness of the problem of immobility and bring hope, freedom, and mobility to those in need. To generate community goodwill.

To support an environmentally friendly program.

To reflect the compassion and humanitarian efforts of the United States on a global level.

To collect used wheelchairs and other mobility equipment such as walkers, crutches, and canes for refurbishment and distribution around the world and to offer sponsorship opportunities for new wheelchairs. Due to a matching funds program, a new wheelchair may be sponsored for only $75.00. This lovely holiday gift may be given in the name of a loved one, or as a tribute to a special person or organization. An elegant gold embossed presentation folder with a photo of the wheelchair recipient; their age, country and wheelchair identification number accompanies the personalized certificate that dedicates each gift.

FOR EACH USED WHEELCHAIR DONATED, OR NEW WHEELCHAIR SPONSORED, BERKELEY AREA STARBUCK’S STORES HAVE GENEROUSLY OFFERED A CERTIFICATE FOR ONE POUND OF FREE COFFEE. ADDITIONALLY, FOR EVERY WALKER, CANE OR SET OF CRUCHES THE DONOR WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FOR A FREE COFFEE DRINK OF THEIR CHOICE!

Individuals, corporations, organizations and associations also have the opportunity to send an entire 40-ft shipping container of 240 wheelchairs to the country of their choice. Due to the unique nature of the foundation, opportunities to establish, expand, or strengthen relationships within a particular country are unparalleled. Impoverished, war torn countries where land mines proliferate are particularly appreciative of this type of generous and unexpected humanitarian gift.

All donations are 100% tax deductible (less the retail value of the coffee) with acknowledgment receipts provided at the time of donation. For additional information on the Foundation please visit our website: www.wheelchairfoundation .org, or call (925) 736-8234 * (877) 378-3839. To schedule a wheelchair pick-up (local East Bay area) during the Round-Up please log onto our website www.wheelchairfoundation.org click the Donation-Comments section and leave contact information where and when can be reached. Thank you in advance for your participation!

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Relief Target: Central America

The Wheelchair Foundation and LDS Charities have embarked on a goodwill mission of mercy and exploration to Central America. Wheelchair Foundation founder Kenneth E. Behring, President and CEO of LDS Charities Garry Flake, representatives of Rotary International and numerous volunteers traveled on October 8th to El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. The objective of this mission is to meet with heads of state, and establish greater cooperation between organizations and governments to bring mobility into the lives of so many disabled citizens of Central America.

Rotary Clubs and Districts have sponsored over 5,000 wheelchairs in 2001 and are continuing their missions of “doing good” for others by bringing wheelchairs to a remote area of Honduras.

LDS Charities has sponsored numerous wheelchair deliveries and has coordinated this goodwill mission for Wheelchair Foundation representatives to meet with the heads of state in all three countries, and to deliver wheelchairs to disabled citizens.

When asked about the participation of other charitable organizations in the Wheelchair Foundation missions, Mr. Behring replied, “We can’t do it without them. They are our eyes and ears in these countries and we rely upon them to help us distribute the wheelchairs properly. So many kids can now go to school because they have a wheelchair. People can now work and help take care of their families, and maybe just see a little bit of the life they are living. This is why we need to work with groups in every country of the world, so we can help the disabled people there.”

In many instances in Latin America the Wheelchair Foundation, LDS Charities and Rotary Clubs are working in harmony to change the lives of disabled children, teens and adults in a positive and long lasting way, by delivering hope, mobility and freedom.

Please contact the Wheelchair Foundation or the local Rotary Club in your area to find out about how you can help deliver a wheelchair to a person in need for a donation of only $75.00.

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A Stronger Resolve To Help The Less Fortunate

For those of us that dedicate our lives to helping the less fortunate people of the world, the unthinkable human sorrow that has been inflicted upon the families of victims from the September 11th New York, Washington,DC and airline disasters is beyond our comprehension.
The Wheelchair Foundation has offered our complete support to the American Red Cross in their efforts to help the victims of the disasters, and we are pleased to learn that of the 250 wheelchairs we delivered to the Salvation Army in New York, many are available for the relief effort.

In conversations over the past few days with relief organizations in various stages of our wheelchair deliveries, we are very pleased to announce that in spite of the hatred and fighting around the world, our missions of mercy will not be altered. From partners in the Americas we have been told of their unwavering support, organizations working in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have committed to more intense efforts to spread the message of peace and helping others around the world.

We are saddened by the recent dark days in human history, but we continue on our path to bring light and hope into the lives of the disabled members of our world community.

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500 Wheelchairs For Lebanon

The Wheelchair Foundation has recently completed a 500-wheelchair distribution in Beirut, Tripoli and Southern Lebanon.

A team comprised of Wheelchair Foundation staff and volunteers from Airline Ambassadors, The Holy Land Foundation and private citizens distributed, these much needed wheelchairs to children, teens and adults over several days. One of the sponsors of the mission, Dr. Joseph Zeiter, also participated in the mission.

Television star Loretta Swit accompanied the team and participated in this humanitarian effort. Ms. Swit has dedicated much of her time to helping others, and contributed greatly to this mission. The Wheelchair Foundation is very grateful for her support and friendship.

Of particular interest was a visit to the Palastinian refugee camps in South Lebanon. One recipient was a 23-year-old woman who lived on a bare matteress in a small, bare room. Upon receiving a wheelchair, her mother burst into tears of joy and told the team that until now her daughter could only stare at the ceiling all day, now “she will be able to sit up and view the world outside of the door.”

The Wheelchair Foundation will be returning to Lebanon later this year, and continuing our efforts to help the disabled residents of communities throughout the world.

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Chevron Sponsors Wheelchairs For Angola

The Wheelchair Foundation team is currently distributing wheelchairs in Luanda, Angola with Liwini, a humanitarian relief organization formed by Angolan First Lady Ana Paula dos Santos.
Angola is a country that has suffered greatly from devastating civil wars and political unrest in recent years. The population of 12 million people is considered the most disabled in the world with an estimated 20% of the population, or 1.2 million children, teens and adults that have suffered the effects of land mines and other war related injuries. These injuries include polio, which spreads quickly when vaccines are not available due to war.

The Wheelchair Foundation is proud to have Chevron as a sponsor of this 240 wheelchair delivery. Chevron’s long standing relationship with the government of Angola and a commitment to helping the communities in which they have a base of operation, have provided us with the ability to make this delivery happen. The logistical challenges that make a mission of this type difficult have been solved by the dedicated efforts of the Chevron employees in Luanda.

Chevron and the Wheelchair Foundation are taking the first steps toward helping the disabled people of Angola move themselves to a more productive and fulfilling life. Giving 240 people the gifts of hope, mobility and freedom is just the start.

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