Wheelchair Mission Update

Pictured: First Lady Beth Fruge distributing wheelchairs in Oaxaca, Mexico in July

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 one, but cannot afford it. 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 a Knights of Columbus grant covers 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 program credits towards earning the Columbian Award.
• Wheelchair Sundays are an effective way to raise funds for this program and are also 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 so much and God bless you to the 235 Councils, 8 Assemblies and First Lady’s Initiative ($101,234) that raised an incredible jurisdiction record of $966,644 for 6,444 wheelchairs in fraternal year 2022-2023. Through you, countless prayers were answered and you impacted the lives of 64,440 people. California, our closest competition, raised $216,890 for 1,446 wheelchairs.

The goal for District Deputies, in fraternal year 2023-2024, is to have all their Councils participate in the Wheelchair Program by donating at least $150 for one wheelchair and have at least one of their Councils hold a Wheelchair Sunday. Please make checks payable to American Wheelchair Mission and mailed to:American Wheelchair Mission, Attn: Dan Moberg, 2600 E. Seltice Way, Suite A172, Post Falls, ID 83854-7991. 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 Texas Wheelchair Chairman Bill Weber at yankeesweb@tx.rr.com/214-405-8023 or Assistant Wheelchair Chairman Brian Nelson abn091951@gmail.com/210-275-7921 about the Wheelchair Program.