Wheelchair Mission Report

The Knights of Columbus work in partnership with the American Wheelchair Mission to provide wheelchairs to an estimated over 100 million people worldwide that need a wheelchair, but cannot afford one. The First Lady’s Initiative is the American Wheelchair Mission.

Some highlights of the Wheelchair Program:

• Wheelchairs allow children to go to school for the first time, adults to go to work, and the elderly to get out of bed.
• Wheelchairs are a life changing gift of mobility that answers prayers and delivers hope, dignity, freedom and independence.
• It is estimated that each wheelchair delivered changes and improves an average of 10 lives.
• Retailing at $500, each wheelchair is delivered at an average cost of $150.
• 100% of a donation goes towards the purchase and delivery of a wheelchair, as the Knights of Columbus cover overhead costs.
• A $150 donation allows you to request a personalized Certificate of Thanks, which includes a picture of a wheelchair recipient.
• A $500 donation allows you to request a framed 34” x 23” Our Lady of Guadalupe lithograph, blessed at her Basilica in Mexico City.
• A Council donation of $1,500 for 10 wheelchairs, counts 2 points towards earning the Columbian Award.
• Wheelchair Sundays are the most effective way to raise funds for this program and a great way to recruit new members.
• Helping at a Wheelchair Sunday counts as an event towards earning your Pro Life ACE Wings.

Thank you and God bless you to the 198 Councils, 6 Assemblies and First Lady’s Initiative ($41,836) that raised $789,584 for 5,264 wheelchairs and impact the lives of 52,640 people. California, our closest competition, has raised $166,173 for 1,108 wheelchairs. A new jurisdiction record has already been set, exceeding the record of $735,942 that Texas set last fraternal year. Many more wheelchairs could be provided if more of the 830 Texas Councils would donate at least $150 for one wheelchair. To donate by check, please use the donation form “KofC Donor Form TEXAS 2022-2023” at tkofc.org by navigating from the Menu to: Star Guide, Charities and Wheelchair Program. To donate online, visit amwheelchair.org/donate and select “Knights of Columbus” in the Campaign field and enter your Council Number in the Organization/Council field. Please contact us with questions about the Wheelchair Program, for help conducting a Wheelchair Sunday and for wheelchairs.

Bill Weber, Texas Wheelchair Chairman, 214-405-8023, yankeesweb@tx.rr.com, Plano Brian Nelson, Assistant Wheelchair Chairman, 210-275-7921, abn091951@gmail.com, San Antonio

Pictured: Florence Eriken