Our Rotary Club has supported the Wheel Chair Foundation since our inception.   Recently we heard from  the Wheel Chair Foundation that an “estimated 100-150 million people worldwide need wheelchairs and less than one percent own or have access to one”. They indicated that the number of people who need the wheelchair will increase by 22 percent over the next 10 years. The greatest need exists in developing countries where only a small percentage of folks who need them don’t have wheelchairs . This forces dependence on families and friends for mobility. Many without a support system get around by  crawling or simply spend most of their time  staying in bed or sitting in a room.

The Wheelchair Foundation purchases both a solid tire and mountain bike tire wheelchair for use in developing countries.  They are shipped in 100-280 ocean freight containers and provided free of charge to those most in need.  These wheelchairs can cost as much as $1,000 in developing countries.

A donation of $150 sponsors, ships and delivers a chair to someone in need. To date, 912,461 wheelchairs have been delivered to 150 countries in 12 years.  Kingston – North Kitsap Rotary is a partner in this mission annually and this year our budget will provide 6 wheelchairs. 

Recently Cal Poly State University caught the vision for this mission and found ways to raise funds so they could provide 400 wheelchairs in Peru.  They are now working on raising funds to send chairs to Croatia.

Thanks for your support of this vital mission.  We share pictures of persons receiving  wheelchairs  with our Club meeting speakers and donate to the WheelChair Foundation in their name.  You should see the smile on recipients of a new wheelchair in a developing  country.  It speaks for itself!

Bob Winkel, International Committee…WheelChair Foundation