Wheelchair Mission Update

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.

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 answer prayers and deliver 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 photo 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 at least $1,500 for 10 wheelchairs, counts 2 program credits 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.

Thank you so much and God bless you to the First Lady’s Initiative, 284 Councils, 12 Assemblies and 1 Chapter that raised an absolutely incredible jurisdiction record of $1,239,052 for 8,260 wheelchairs in fraternal year 2023-2024. Through you, so many prayers were answered and you impacted the lives of 82,600 people! California, our closest competition, raised $257,693 for 1,718 wheelchairs.

The goal for District Deputies, in fraternal year 2024-2025, 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. Over 540 Texas Councils did not donate last fraternal year. To donate online, please 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, wheelchair needs or Wheelchair Sunday help.

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