Wheelchair Mission Update

The American Wheelchair Mission is the First Lady’s charity this fraternal year. The State goal is to increase the donations from each Diocese by holding more Wheelchair Sundays and by every Texas Council participating in the Wheelchair Program by donating at least $150 for one wheelchair. The goal for District Deputies is to have at least one of their Councils hold a Wheelchair Sunday.

In November of last year, we were honored to have our Worthy State Deputy and First Lady, Terry and Beth Fruge, on the wheelchair distribution trip with us to Hermosillo, Mexico. Families told us that they had been praying for a wheelchair and the trip reiterated the immediate impact that one wheelchair makes. Below is the link to the video of that trip: https://www.mediafire.com/file/9ktlblfbvj2irpo/AWM_Prince_of_Peace_-Sharing_Christ%2527s_Embrace.mp4/file

Thank you and God bless you to the 155 Councils, 3 Assemblies and the First Lady's Initiative that have donated a total of $413,991 for 2,760 wheelchairs as of January 31st. Special thanks to those Councils that held a Wheelchair Sunday, or some other fundraising event, that benefited the American Wheelchair Mission. Since it is estimated that each wheelchair delivered changes and improves an average of 10 lives, you have impacted the lives of 27,600 people. At this time last fraternal year, the donations received were $320,507 for 2,136 wheelchairs. Hopefully, with your Council’s participation, we can exceed the $735,941 for 4,906 wheelchairs raised last fraternal year.

Please make checks payable to American Wheelchair Mission and mail them to Dan Moberg, American Wheelchair Mission, 2600 E. Seltice Way, Suite A172, Post Falls, ID 83854-7991.Please be sure your Council Number and Diocese are on your checks, so that your donation will be properly credited. To donate online, please visit amwheelchair.org/donate and in the Campaign field select "Knights of Columbus" and in the Organization/Council field enter your Council Number.

Currently, there is wheelchair inventory in Austin, Fort Worth, Plano and San Antonio and a large container ordered for Galveston/Houston. Due to shipping costs, the American Wheelchair Mission is only shipping large containers of 280 that cost $42,000 each. If your Diocese would like to have their own wheelchair inventory, they can combine their funds with other Dioceses and then divide up the wheelchairs once they are delivered to a specified location.

Please contact Texas Wheelchair Chairman Bill Weber at yankeesweb@tx.rr.com or 214-405-8023 or Assistant Wheelchair Chairman Brian Nelson at abn091951@gmail.com or 210-275-7921 if you have any questions about the Wheelchair Program, need any help conducting a Wheelchair Sunday or need any wheelchairs.They will be glad to talk to your Pastor or Council about the program and address any questions or concerns they might have.

Pictured: Worthy State Deputy and First Lady, Terry and Beth Fruge, with a wheelchair recipient in Hermosillo, Mexico in November of last year.