changing winter 2004 - wheelchair foundation · popayán esmeraldas mitú portoviejo são carlos...
TRANSCRIPT
NORTH ATLANTIC
OCEAN
RTH PACIFIC
OCEAN
SOUTH PACIFIC
OCEAN
C A R I B B E A N S E A
Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of California
PanamaCanal
Strait ofMagellan
Gulf ofSan Jorge
San Matías Gulf
River Plate
Gulf of Penas
G r ea t e r A n t i l l e s
Guadalupe I.
Revillagigedo Is.Cayman Is.
Andros
Abaco I.
Turks and Caicos
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Aruba
Montserrat
Curaçao
Malpelo Island
Coco Island
Puerto Rico Virgin Is.
Galapagos IslandsIsabela I.
Fernandina I. Santa Cruz I.San Cristóbal I.
Clipperton
Juan Fernández Islands
San Félix I. San Ambrosio I.
Easter IslandI. Sala y Gómez
Netherlands Antilles
Lesser Antilles
St Martin
Falkland Islands
South Georgia
Shag RocksEast Falkland
West Falkland
Wollaston Is
Chiloé Island
Los ChonosArchipelago
Santa Inés Island
Isla Grande deTierra del Fuego
M
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Lake Nicaragua
Lake Titicaca
Lake Poopó
SalardeAtacama
SalinasGrandes
Salarde Uyuni
LakeColhué Huapí
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Culiacán Miami
BarquisimetoMérida
Maracaibo
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Cusco
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Valparaíso
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Córdoba Santa Fé
Puerto Montt
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Ushuaia
Punta Arenas
Belo Horizonte
Goiânia
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Porto Velho
Vitória
Rio de JaneiroSão Paulo
Salvador
Belém São Luis
TeresinaFortaleza
João Pessoa
Aracaju
Recife
Maceió
Natal
Porto Alegre
Florianópolis
Curitiba
Bahía BlancaMar del Plata
AustinHouston New
Orleans
Santiago de Cuba
Mobile
Chihuahua
MatamorosSaltilloTorreón
CiudadObregón
La Paz
San Luis Potosí
Hermosillo
Jacksonville
TampaOrlando
West Palm BeachSt Petersburg
Key West
Camagüey
Santiago
SanJuan
Bayamo
Pinar del Río
Tallahassee
Matanzas
León
Orizaba
Oaxaca
VillahermosaVeracruz
Campeche
Colón
PueblaToluca
Morelia
Durango
Corpus Christi
Brownsville
Beaumont Baton Rouge
Stanley
Barranquilla
Cabimas
Cúcuta
Pasto
NeivaPuertoInírida
Leticia
Cuenca
Huancayo
La Serena
RancaguaTalca
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Río CuartoParaná
Rivera
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Ciudaddel Este
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Santos
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Río GallegosPuerto Natales
Comodoro Rivadavia
Cochabamba Santa Cruz
Corumbá
PotosíTarija
CampoGrande
Rio BrancoPucallpa
Santarém
Macapá
SullanaPiura
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San CristóbalCiudad Guayana
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MaturínCiudad Bolívar
Manizales
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MitúEsmeraldas
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GovernadorValadares
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Vitória da Conquista
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CHILE
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MEXICO
MEXICO HAITI
THE BAHAMAS
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DOMINICANREPUBLIC
ANTIGUAAND BARBUDA
DOMINICA
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ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINESGRENADA
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BOLIVIAB R A Z I L
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TROPICTROPIC OF CAPRICORNC OF CAPRICORN
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TROPIC OF CANCERTROPIC OF CANCER
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W Longitude West
W I N T E R 2 0 0 4
T H E W O R L DChanging
E S T A B L I S H E D J U N E 2 0 0 0
T H E A M E R I C A S
mobilizing
A B O U T U S
2 W i n t e r 2 0 0 4 w h e e l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
Many people have asked me since thebeginning of the Wheelchair Foundationhow I came up with the idea to help peoplewithout mobility. I can honestly tell youthat I had not thought much about mobili-ty over the years as I traveled the worldand often brought relief supplies with meon my plane.
But when I first witnessed the immediatechange a wheelchair made to the life of aperson with a physical disability and toevery member of his or her family, I was
struck by the simplicity of this gesture.Suddenly I felt I had found something that would give me pur-
pose in my life. Since then, I have traveled to most of the 130countries where we have delivered over 300,000 wheelchairs. Ihave received so much satisfaction that I decided to write a bookthat describes my humble beginnings, business successes and fail-ures and what finally resulted in me finding my purpose—TheWheelchair Foundation. The book is called Road to Purpose.
My hope is to inspire people to find purpose in their lives andexperience the joy of giving by helping those less fortunate thanthemselves.
I have decided to give one of my books for free to anyone whodonates $75 to sponsor a wheelchair (until December 31), or asigned copy to anyone that donates $150 to sponsor two wheel-chairs. The wheelchairs will deliver hope, freedom, dignity andchange people’s lives. If you would just like to receive my book,you can donate $15 and we’ll send you one (add $3 S&H). Fordetails, please visit our website at www.wheelchairfoundation.orgor call us toll free at (877) 378-3839 to make a donation andreceive your free book.
Thank you for helping us to improve the quality of life for so many.
Sincerely,
Kenneth E. BehringFounder & Chairman of the Board
Changing the Worldis published by theWheelchair Foundation,3820 Blackhawk Road,Danville, California 94506USA. Copyright 2004Wheelchair Foundation.All rights reserved.Volume 7, issue 3.Written and edited byChris Lewis, Director ofPublic Education.Contributing writers: Scott McRae, PeterBarnes, Matt Montagueand Jason Katz.
A MESSAGE FROM KEN BEHRING
Our MissionThe Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organ-ization leading an international effort to createawareness of the needs and abilities of peoplewith physical disabilities, to promote the joy ofgiving, create global friendship, and to deliver awheelchair to every child, teen and adult in theworld who needs one, but cannot afford one. Forthese people, the Wheelchair Foundation deliversHope, Mobility and Freedom.
Our GoalOver the next five years, the WheelchairFoundation aims to deliver 1 million wheelchairsto people who cannot afford to buy one, and tofurther the awareness that a wheelchair is nolonger an unaffordable relief option for deliveryto developing countries around the world.
MobilitySince its establishment on June 13, 2000, theWheelchair Foundation has witnessed tens ofthousands of examples of how mobility createsindependence and new possibilities for recipi-ents and their families. A mobile child is able toattend school. A mobile adult is able to get a joband provide for their family, or care for the chil-dren at home so their spouse can work. An eld-erly person can rejoin society or family activitiesafter years of staying in a bed. The joy and hopethat a simple mobility device can deliver, is whatgives people a new outlook on life and hope forthe future.m
issi
on a
nd g
oals
Contact UsWheelchair Foundation (877) 378-3839 – [email protected]
Wheelchair Foundation Canada (866) 666-2411– [email protected]
Wheelchair Foundation Australia (13) 0076 0581 – [email protected]
Wheelchair Foundation UK (44) 1 937 580 725 – [email protected]
www.wheelchairfoundation.org
A B O U T U S
w h e e l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g C h a n g i n g t h e Wo r l d 3
The establishment of the Wheelchair Foundation marks the most recentchapter in Kenneth E. Behring’s philanthropic efforts to improve the livesof disadvantaged people around the world.
From his successful career as an automobile dealer in Wisconsin, Kenentered the world of real estate development in the 1960s. Over thecourse of the next 35 years, his companies created numerous plannedcommunities in Florida and California, including the world-renownedBlackhawk development near San Francisco.
After purchasing the Seattle Seahawks football team in 1988, Kenestablished the Seattle Seahawks Charitable Foundation, which benefitednumerous children’s charities. The Seahawks Foundation was the mostsubstantial donor to the Western Washington Muscular DystrophyAssociation for many years.
Ken Behring founded the Blackhawk Museum and the Behring-Hofmann Educational Institute in Blackhawk, California, to benefit theSan Francisco East Bay region. In 1997, he pledged $20 million to theSmithsonian Museum of Natural History, and in 2000 he pledged an
additional $80 million to rebuild the Smithsonian’s National Museum ofAmerican History. For only the fourth time in the Smithsonian’s 170-yearhistory, the prestigious James Smithson Award was bestowed on Behringin recognition of his generosity and vision. The Blackhawk Museum is nowan affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and hosts Smithsonian exhibits.
During his years of travel around the world, Ken has made it his person-al mission to help those in need. His donations of food, medical supplies,clothing, toys and educational materials have helped people in some of themost impoverished nations on earth. His first-hand involvement has givenhim a realistic picture of how much help is needed worldwide.
In 1999, Ken donated shipments of wheelchairs to relief organizationsin Eastern Europe and Africa. His personal contact with the recipientsgave him a greater understanding of how much hope and happiness canbe given to a person who receives a wheelchair. In the following months,he traveled the world delivering wheelchairs to numerous countries. OnJune 13, 2000 (his birthday), the Wheelchair Foundation was establishedat a ceremony in Washington, DC.
Since June of 2000, Ken has tirelessly traveled the world deliveringtens of thousands of wheelchairs to the disabled citizens of five conti-nents. The relationships he has developed with world leaders have led to agreater awareness of the needs and abilities of the physically disabled,and are a great force in propelling the mission of the WheelchairFoundation. In 2002, Ken was awarded an honorary doctorate by BrighamYoung University for his worldwide charitable efforts.
Ken and Patricia, his wife of 54 years, reside in Blackhawk, California.They have five sons and ten grandchildren.
Kenneth E. Behring
“When I see the happiness in the eyes of the people who get a wheelchair, I feelthat this is the greatest thing I have everachieved in my life.”—Kenneth E. Behring
THE OVERWHELMINGNEED FOR WHEELCHAIRS
• People require the use of a wheelchair for many rea-sons: accidents, birth defects, war injuries, debilitat-ing diseases and advanced age.
• One of the most horrific causes of disability world-wide can be attributed to landmines or unexplodedordnance (UXO). According to the World HealthOrganization (WHO), every year, more than 29,000people are injured by landmines or UXO around theworld. This number does not include unreportedcases, or those that are killed by the explosions.
• An estimated 100-150 million people with physicaldisabilities worldwide need wheelchairs, though lessthan 1 percent own or have access to one. The num-ber of physically disabled is likely underestimated,due to the difficulty in accounting for “forgotten”citizens who spend their lives hidden from sight.
• It is estimated that the number of people who needwheelchairs will increase by 22 percent over thenext 10 years, with the greatest need existing indeveloping countries.
• In developing countries, only a small percentage ofthose who need wheelchairs have them, forcingdependence upon family and friends to get around.For others, the only way to get around is to crawl, orlie in a bed or corner of a room for years at a time.
• Despite tremendous efforts of many relief organiza-tions, they are still not sufficient to meet the over-whelming need. Traditionally there have been threewheelchair delivery options—sadly, none of which isadequate for a country’s poorest disabled citizens:
>> Wheelchairs available in the West: The most basicdurable wheelchair with similar features to the typewe deliver costs from $375 to $500, not includingshipping charges. This sum is out of reach for mostpeople in developing countries. In Vietnam, for exam-ple, a person with a physical disability may earnabout $30 a month—if she or he is able to work.
>> Refurbished wheelchairs: There are severalorganizations that refurbish and distribute wheel-chairs very professionally and responsibly.Unfortunately, their efforts cannot hope to addressthe overwhelming need.
>> Wheelchairs manufactured in country: Somedeveloping countries have domestic wheelchair man-ufacturing operations. But the wheelchairs still mustbe sold to the physically disabled citizens and arealmost always too expensive for the destitute.
The wheelchairs provided by the WheelchairFoundation are purchased in bulk from Chinesemanufacturers, and designed to be the best possiblesolution in developing countries. They cost $150each, delivered by a 280-wheelchair container, andare offered free to those most in need. Each dona-tion of $75 will be matched by the WheelchairFoundation, with funds provided specifically for that purpose, to deliver a wheelchair. $21,000 will deliver an entire 280-wheelchair container.
A B O U T U S
4 W i n t e r 2 0 0 4 w h e e l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
PRINCE ALEXANDER & PRINCESSKATHERINE OF YUGOSLAVIA
CARL A. ANDERSONSupreme Knight, Knights of Columbus
ROBERT M. BERDAHLChancellor, University of California at Berkeley
WENDY WIDMANN DE BERGERFirst Lady of Guatemala
RUTH CORREA LEITE CARDOSO, PH.D.Former First Lady of Brazil
LORENA CLARE FACIO DE RODRIGUEZECHEVERRIA
Former First Lady of Costa Rica
JOEL EHRENKRANZEhrenkranz & Ehrenkranz, New York
PROFESSOR SIR HARRY FANG, M.D.Chairman, Council for Physically & Mentally Disabled,
Hong Kong
MARY FLAKE DE FLORESFirst Lady of Honduras
LOURDES RODRIGUEZ DE FLORESFirst Lady of El Salvador
WHITEY FORDBaseball Hall of Fame
MARTHA SAHAGUN FOXFirst Lady of Mexico
IMANTS FREIBERGSFirst Gentleman of Latvia
VALERY GISCARD D_ESTAINGFormer President of France
MIKHAIL GORBACHEVFormer President of the USSR
XIMENA BOHÓRQUEZ DE GUTIERREZ, M.D.
First Lady of Ecuador
DOUG HEIRPresident of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
KENNETH HOFMANNOakland Athletics Baseball Team
TIM HONEYExecutive Director, Sister Cities International
MICHAEL A. JACOBSChairman - Discovery International Associates, Inc.
JACK KEMPFormer U.S. Representative & Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development
MRS. ANDREE LAHOUDFirst Lady of Lebanon
JERRY LEWISEntertainer/Humanitarian
SUSANA GALLI DE GONZALEZ MACCHIFirst Lady of Paraguay
GRACA MACHELFormer First Lady of Mozambique/Mrs. Nelson Mandela
NELSON MANDELAFormer President of South Africa
ED MCMAHONRadio & Television Personality
ANNA MKAPAFirst Lady of Tanzania
WAYNE NEWTONEntertainer, Las Vegas, NV
SAMUEL NUJOMAPresident of Namibia
STELLA OBASANJOFirst Lady of Nigeria
DEAN ORNISH, M.D.President & Director, Preventive Medicine Research Institute,
UCSF
JACK PALLADINOPalladino & Sutherland, San Francisco
ARNOLD PALMERProfessional Golfer/Business Executive
LIBBY PATAKIFirst Lady of New York
DENG PUFENGChairman, China Disabled Persons’ Federation
VIRGINIA GILLUM DE QUIROGAFormer First Lady of Bolivia
PRINCE RAAD & PRINCESS MAJDARAAD OF JORDAN
GENERAL JOSEPH W. RALSTONUnited States Air Force-Ret.
FIDEL RAMOSFormer President of the Philippines
CATHERINE B. REYNOLDSAmerican Academy of Achievement/CEO of Educap Inc.
STEFANO RICCIClothing Designer
NANCY RIVARDExecutive Director, Airline Ambassadors
ANNA ELEANOR ROOSEVELTCo-Chair - Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, New York
CHRISTOPHER J. ROSA, PH.D.Director, Services for Students with Disabilities - Queens
College, Flushing, NY
YOSHIAKI SAKURAChairman, Kosaido, Japan
ANA PAULA DOS SANTOSFirst Lady of Angola
DON SHULANFL Coach/Entreprenuer
LAWRENCE SMALLSecretary, Smithsonian Institute
RT. HON. SIR MICHAEL SOMAREPrime Minister, Papua New Guinea
CATHERINE STEVENSAlaska & Washington, DC
VIVIAN DE TORRIJOSFirst Lady of Panama
VIVIANE WADEFirst Lady of Senegal
ABBAS I. YOUSEFASI Agricultural Services & Investments
HONORARY MEMBERS
JOE BACAU.S. Representative, D-California
MAX CLELANDFormer U.S. Senator, D-Georgia
ANNA G. ESHOOU.S. Representative, D-California
DIANNE FEINSTEINU.S. Senator, D-California
WILLIAM H. FRISTU.S. Senator, R-Tennessee
BENJAMIN A. GILMANU.S. Representative, R-New York
DANIEL INOUYEU.S. Senator, D-Hawaii
KEN LANCASTERState Representative, R-Alaska
JAMES R. LANGEVINU.S. Representative, D-Rhode Island
STEVE LARGENTFormer U.S. Representative, R-Oklahoma
NANCY PELOSIU.S. Representative, D-California
TED STEVENSU.S. Senator, R-Alaska
ELLEN TAUSCHERU.S. Representative, D-California
TOM TORLAKSONState Senator, D-California
KING JUAN CARLOS & QUEEN SOFIA OF SPAIN, Co-Chairmenin
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N E W S L I N E S
w h e e l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g C h a n g i n g t h e Wo r l d 5
Afghanistan .............5,800Albania .......................550Algeria ........................640Angola .....................2,920Argentina .................4,011Armenia ...................2,124Australia .....................292Bahamas ....................920Bangladesh ................240Barbados ....................280Belarus .......................990Belgium ......................280Belize .......................1,860Bolivia .....................3,244Bosnia-Herzegovina.1,010Botswana....................848Brazil .......................2,305Bulgaria......................250Burundi.......................240Cambodia ................2,270Cape Verde .................500Central African Rep. ...240Chile ........................4,298China .....................54,568China/Hong Kong........970China/Taiwan..............506Colombia .................2,700Costa Rica ...............4,315Croatia.....................1,550Cuba........................1,240Czech Republic ...........480Dominican Republic.8,238Ecuador ...................2,761Egypt .......................1,058El Salvador ..............3,785Eritrea.........................250Estonia .......................250Ethopia ....................2,428Fiji ..............................500French Polynesia.........280Georgia .......................500Ghana......................1,960Greece.........................240Guam..........................250Guatamala...............5,353Guyana .......................250Haiti.........................1,820Honduras .................4,344Hungary ......................120India ........................2,791Indonesia .................2,300Iran ..........................3,600Iraq ..........................1,900Israel .......................4,790Italy ............................560Jamaica ...................1,880Japan.......................2,250Jordan......................2,818Kazakhstan..............1,230Kenya .......................2,260Korea, North................140Korea, South ............5,172Kosovo .....................1,080Kyrgystan ....................990Laos ............................780Latvia .........................740Lebanon...................2,090
Lesotho .......................500Liberia ........................250Lithuania ....................530Macedonia ..................500Madagascar.............1,030Malawi .....................2,020Malaysia ..................1,980Mali ............................240Malta ..........................240Marshall Islands.........140Mexico....................38,899Micronesia ...............1,390Moldova ...................1,480Mongolia ..................1,040Montenegro .................120Morocco ......................520Mozambique ............1,380N. Mariana Islands .....420Namibia ......................186Nepal .......................1,985Nicaragua................3,885Niger ...........................240Nigeria .....................1,310Pakistan .....................655Palestinians/Israel...1,965Panama ...................3,960Papua New Guinea ..1,240Paraguay .................1,544Peru .........................2,909Philippines...............2,540Poland ........................280Puerto Rico .................250Romania ..................3,556Russia .....................1,590Rwanda ......................800Samoa ........................520Senegal.......................240Serbia ......................1,000Sierra Leone.............1,560Somalia ........................88South Africa.............5,820Spain ..........................500Sri Lanka ....................520St. Lucia .....................280Suriname ....................240Swaziland ................1,020Syria ...........................641Tajikistan....................240Tanzania ..................1,908Thailand ..................3,050Tonga..........................500Trinidad & Tobago....1,604Turkey ......................3,040Turkmenistan..............240Uganda....................2,624Ukraine ....................3,348Uruguay ...................1,352USA........................18,869Uzbekistan..................990Vanuatu ......................250Venezuela....................760Vietnam ...................5,516Virgin Islands .............280Western Sahara ..........153Zambia .......................400Zimbabwe................1,550
WHEELCHAIRSCOMMITTED OR DELIVERED SINCEJUNE 2000
For current totals visit wheelchairfoundation.org.
PENNIESFROM HEAVENPennies from heaven into a Pot,Pennies from heaven we don’t
need a lotThe pennies we give will help
to provideWheelchairs for those who need
the ride.Judy Piquet, president of the ReliefSociety of Corona, California, firstheard about the WheelchairFoundation through The Ensign, themonthly LDS Church magazine. “Iwas intrigued by the WheelchairFoundation’s mission to fight immo-bility, so I went on the website. Iread several stories and saw thevideo ‘The Power of One,’ whichreally moved me. It brought me to tears.”
Judy then put together a commit-tee with Shellie Hunt and contactedthe Wheelchair Foundation. “TheWheelchair Foundation wasextremely helpful in getting usmaterials to share with our group.
A month prior to the ReliefSociety conference, Judy and herfriends and fellow society membershanded out 600 Chinese take-outcontainers with the “Pennies fromHeaven” poem on the front as wellas a small request: “When you findspare change, toss it in the con-tainer.” Throughout the month, peo-ple found change in their car seat,in-between couch cushions andamong the laundry. Nickels, dimes,quarters and pennies all wereadded to these small Chinese take-out containers.
Judy decided to raise these fundsin memory of Jean Shumway, a member of the LDS Church whopassed away earlier this year. “It is a great project to remember agreat person.”
The Corona California ReliefSociety had a goal to raise enoughfunds to sponsor 12 wheelchairs.One month and 500 pounds of sparechange later, $5,625 was raised.This amount was enough to sponsor75 wheelchairs. They were able toraise more than six times theamount of their original goal! TheWheelchair Foundation would like tothank Judy Piquet for her “PenniesFrom Heaven.”
WHEELCHAIRSFOR PEACE Working in partnership with theWheelchair Foundation since 2002,Sister Cities International has spon-sored or co-sponsored the delivery ofnearly 5,000 wheelchairs. Thesewere sent from U.S. communities totheir sister cities abroad through the“Wheelchairs for Peace” program,and another 2,800 wheelchairs arecurrently in the works. Highlights ofthese deliveries include the Wheel-chair Foundation’s first shipmentinto the country of Mali and one ofthe first shipments to successfullymake its way into Russia.
Under the leadership of boardmembers Randy Avon and SteveBeinke, Sister Cities Internationalrecently announced the “FriendshipAcross the Americas” initiative,which will allow sister city groupsthe opportunity to work collectively
and join the efforts of diplomats,the business community, localRotary Clubs and others to send280-wheelchair containers to tar-get countries in Latin America. The initial phase of the programfocuses on Panama, Argentina,Columbia, Costa Rica and theDominican Republic.
Through the “U.S./Iraq Inter-national Partners for Peace initia-tive,” six pairs of communities will be connected to develophumanitarian assistance projects inIraq. Sister Cities International ispromoting the “Wheelchairs forPeace” program to these communi-ties through this initiative.
TRAVEL WITH THEWHEELCHAIR FOUNDATIONTravel the world and help deliverwheelchairs! The Wheelchair Foun-dation, in partnership with HowardTours of Oakland, California, hasdesigned a series of group-travelexperiences where people can per-sonally deliver wheelchairs to thosewho lack mobility. These distribu-tions will provide enduring memo-ries and emotions, but that will bejust the start of the experience. In addition to participating in ahands-on distribution of individualwheelchairs, those who join us will:• Explore the sights, sounds,
history and cultures of the coun-tries visited.
• Visit additional humanitariansites and projects.
• Build friendships with thepeople of each land.
There will be approximately four to five trips per year. Costs includeairfare, hotel, special events, transfer, etc. Currently scheduled:• 17 days in Vietnam. Only $2,799.
March 17 to April 2, 2005• 5 days/4 nights in Mexico City.
Approx. $1,400. Mid-July 2005For more information about thesetrips, please call the WheelchairFoundation or Howard Tours at (800) 475-2260, or send an e-mailto [email protected].
TOTAL COUNTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . .130TOTAL WHEELCHAIRS . . . . . . .314,876
LEE BURGE AND THE TEMPE, AZ,SISTER CITIES GROUP JOINS U.S.AMBASSADOR TO MACEDONIALAWRENCE BUTLER.
C H I N A
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The Behring Wheelchair Research & Technology Centerwas established on October 12, 2004, in Dalian, China. Itis a research facility at the Dalian Jiaotong University thatwill provide the Wheelchair Foundation with technicaldata regarding the design and performance of wheelchairscurrently being distributed and developed. The universi-ty’s intention is to create the leading wheelchair technolo-gy development and quality-testing center in China. Theinitial focus will be to develop wheelchair designs thatenable people with physical disabilities in varying envi-ronments to live more productive and independent lives,and to increase the longevity of the wheelchairs.In September 2004, a 13-year-old girl named He
Jieying touched the hearts of the WheelchairFoundation/LDS Charities team that made her one
of the 500 recipients who would get their very ownwheelchair that day in the city of Guangzhou. The girl’steacher, Mrs. Zheng, accompanied her to experience thespecial event. Mrs. Zheng explained that this wheelchairwould not only help young Jieying, but also four otherchildren that are immobile at their school. “Now all ofthe children with physical disabilities will be able to taketurns in the wheelchair to go outside more often, and itwill be a great help to me.” Jieying was constantly smil-ing and so thankful for the chance to “fly” in her newwheelchair and explore the world outside.
CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE: KEN BEHRING GREETS EACH WHEELCHAIRRECIPIENT. >>> QUALITY CONTROL TESTING BY OUR SUPPLIER INSHANGHAI. >>> OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BEHRING WHEELCHAIRRESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER. >>> 13-YEAR-OLD HE JIEYING
wheelchairsin China
THE BEHRING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER OPENS
J O R D A N / M O R O C C O
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As relationships strain throughout the Middle East, the Wheelchair Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Depart-
ment of Defense are seeking to promote peace and stabilityin this critical land. The week of September 27, 2004, theWheelchair Foundation delivered the first of 12,000 wheel-chairs to the Middle East as part of a new Middle East initia-tive with the U.S. government. Since 2002, the Foundation,State and Defense Departments have jointly deliveredwheelchairs to 95 countries.
Nearly 1,000 wheelchairs, that were co-sponsored by theKnights of Columbus, LDS Church and Rotary Clubs, weredistributed to physically disabled citizens in Amman, Jordan,and Casablanca, Morocco, with the U.S. Departments ofState and Defense. Washington D.C. firefighter Ron Kuleyrepresented the Knights of Columbus on the trip, and Dr. JonGrant represented the Rotarians.
At the first distribution in Jordan, Her Majesty QueenRania Al-Abdullah joined the delegation at the distribution,held at a school and rehabilitation center operated by the Al-Hussein Society. One of the wheelchair recipients was DuaaShihadeh, a 10-year-old Jordanian girl who suffers from spinabifida. Duaa was the 100,000th physically challenged personto receive a wheelchair under the public/private partnershipbetween the Wheelchair Foundation and the U.S.Department of State, and was helped into her new wheel-chair by Queen Rania.
Judith McCallum, who oversees transportation ofFoundation wheelchairs in the Office of Humanitarian
Assistance and Mine Action at the Defense Department, alsoassisted several recipients into their wheelchairs.
“It makes me want to go back and work harder. It makes me want todo more,” McCallum said afterwards. “I just want to help theWheelchair Foundation and State Department get wheelchairs toeveryone on the planet who needs a wheelchair.”
After the event, members of the distribution team saw first hand thepower of mobility to change people’s lives. At a workshop for mosaicart in Madaba, they noticed a woman in the corner in a wheelchair.Ismat Mdanat, 38, has been immobile because of polio most of her life.She had received a wheelchair from the Foundation in 2003, throughthe Al-Hussein Society and local Rotarians. The wheelchair hadallowed her to get the job in the mosaic workshop, her first ever. Itcould eventually pay her $1,000 a month. “I feel very good. It’s a won-derful feeling to be able to be productive,” she told team members. “Ifeel good that I can contribute to my family.”
In Morocco, the team distributed 280 wheelchairs at the CenterNoor, operated by the Amicale Marocaine des Handicapes. The U.S.Ambassador to Morocco, Thomas Riley, First Lady of the state of NewYork Libby Pataki and many Moroccan government officials attendedthe event. A banner at the distribution read in English and Arabic: “Infriendship with the people of the United States of America.”
Tarik Daria shouted, “Viva America” when he knew his brother,Adil, was finally receiving a new wheelchair. Tarik had taken a day offfrom work as a plumber to carry Adil, who is 22 and has been immo-bile since birth, to the event. With a wheelchair, Tarik said, Adil wouldhave mobility and Tarik would no longer have to choose between help-ing him and earning money to feed his family.
“We are very grateful to the American people,” Tarik told team mem-bers through a translator. “We know that the American people are verygenerous and that they are ready to help others; and for that, we canexpress but our sincere gratitude.”
Earlier this year, the Foundation provided 1,500 wheelchairs sponsoredby Rotarians to the people of Iraq and last year 5,000 wheelchairs weredistributed in several provinces throughout Afghanistan. Both of thesecountries are in desperate need of wheelchairs, as landmines and unex-ploded ordnance are perpetual problems that plague their society.
“In this part of the world and elsewhere, one of the most importantthings for us in the State Department is to move beyond the bilateralrelationship with the governments of these countries to the people ofeach of these countries,” said Haynes Mahoney, public affairs counselorfor the U.S. embassy in Amman. “And there’s no more noble or humankind of act that we can perform than to improve somebody’s life as dramatically as giving them a wheelchair.”
Middle East andNorth Africa
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A WHEELCHAIR MEANS A NEW LIFE. >>> THIS 12-YEAR-OLD WILL NOW BE ABLE TO ATTENDSCHOOL. >>> SPONSORS OF MOBILITY COME TOGETHER INMOROCCO. >>> JUDY MCCALLUM OF THE D.O.D. AND KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS RON KULEY CHANGE LIVES IN MOROCCO.
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seas
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: >>> Masai children welcome us to Tanzania. >>> Seth Thomasand James Clay present a check to WF’s Jason Katz from the Bimmerworld RacingTeam. >>> Texas Rotarian Jim Edwards gives veteran Horace Johnson a new wheelchair. >>> Playing canoe.
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CLOCKWISE, FROM
RIGHT: >>> Patriciaand Ken Behringshare a specialmoment in Jordan.>>> Mobility fortheir dad is a newexperience. >>>(left) Formersoldiers in Colombiacondemn the anti-personnellandmines thatcaused their immobility. >>>(right) New friendsin Jordan. >>>Women walk milesto get clean water.>>> DanDominguez ofNoah’s Bagels presentedWheelchairFoundationPresident DavidBehring with acheck to sponsorover 600 wheel-chairs. >>>Tibetan monksreceive the gift of mobility. >>>Morocco kids are giving us thethumbs up. >>>Children celebratingin Mexico. >>>Xavier now worksfor the Mexicangovernmenthelping the physically disabled.
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Since June of 2000, a major focus for the Wheelchair Foundationhas been to bring mobility to our physically disabled neighborsin Mexico and Central and South America. Approximately
three percent of the populations of developing countries lack mobili-ty and would have the quality of their lives greatly improved by thegift of a wheelchair.
COUNTRY – MEXICOPOPULATION - 105,000,000WHEELCHAIRS DELIVERED SINCE JUNE 2000 – 38,899ESTIMATED WHEELCHAIRS NEEDED – 3,150,000LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY TO IMPORT WHEELCHAIRS
DUTY-FREE – HighIt is estimated that nearly 50 percent of the physically disabled peo-
ple in Mexico are children, and the resources necessary to addresstheir needs are just not available. Recent improvements in theapproach by government to provide services for the physically dis-abled have provided much needed assistance, but it is the over-whelming generosity and dedication of relief and service organiza-tions, churches and charitable foundations that have brought hopeand an improved quality of life to tens of thousands.
One of the great challenges facing the Wheelchair Foundation isthe importation of brand new, Chinese-made wheelchairs into
countries duty free. The importation barriers that exist toprotect markets from being flooded by Chinese-madeproducts have proven to be a consistent challenge, evenwhen delivering our wheelchairs, which are free human-itarian aid. Over the past year, the level of difficulty andcost to bring our life-changing wheelchairs to the physi-cally disabled people in Mexico have more than dou-bled. We are almost at the point that we cannot guaran-tee a distribution date to sponsors visiting Mexico to par-ticipate in a wheelchair distribution of less than sixmonths from the placement of the order for the 280-wheelchair container. The ordering, manufacturing andshipping time from China is approximately 60 days, andthe rest of the time spent can be compared to movingEverest-size mountains of red tape with a toothpick.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our regional opera-tions director Eva Brook, our transportation managerGerry Riley, his associate Laura Morales, our Rotarianvolunteer Dr. Jon Grant, and the hundreds of volunteersthat work endless hours to make our distributions inMexico possible, we are continuing to fight the fight ona daily basis to get wheelchairs to the physically disabledresidents without mobility.
“I can’t think of too many things that can make a sig-nificant difference in people’s lives, but delivering wheel-chairs makes a major difference every day.”
T H E A M E R I C A S
BRINGING WHEELCHAIRS TO OUR CONTINENTAL NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH
mobilizingtheAmericas
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With these words, Rick Todd, a Rotarian from SouthernCalifornia’s District 5300, succinctly summed up a successfulwheelchair distribution in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He vowed toreturn soon with even more wheelchairs for the needy and physi-cally disabled residents of this seaside community.
“One young man who had no legs and desperately needed awheelchair came to the distribution on a skateboard, using hishands to push his body through the streets of Puerto Vallarta,”said Todd. “When you see someone arrive on a skateboard andleave in a wheelchair, you know you’ve made a difference intheir life.”
Todd first heard about the Wheelchair Foundation and its part-nership with Rotary Clubs during a presentation by DistrictGovernor Barbara Risher Welch. He joined members from 11other clubs in District 5300 to raise funds for the 280 wheelchairs—a full container—sent to Puerto Vallarta.
Fifty California Rotarians made the trip to Mexico. ArturoVazquez Serrano and other members of the Rotary Club of PuertoVallarta assisted with the distribution. When recipients wereunable to show up to receive a wheelchair in person, the wheel-chairs were delivered to their homes.
“There was this one elderly man,” said Todd, “who was reallystruggling to use his crutches. When he was able to sit down in hisnew wheelchair, his life changed immediately. The look in hiseyes told us how important our mission was to him.”
Rotarians witnessed the life-changing impact a free wheelchairprovides. “I felt a lot of emotion while seeing the recipients ofwheelchairs,” said Ed Biebrich.
“I saw children who were emotionally and developmentallychallenged who, for the first time in their lives, were able to movearound independently. I also saw the impact this would have onfamily members who no longer had to carry them.”
“I was truly moved,” said Biebrich, whose two sons helped raisemoney for the wheelchairs by cutting firewood and selling it totheir neighbors.
“We all go through life wondering if we have made a difference,”added Todd. “Delivering wheelchairs does make a difference. Itbrings hope to people who have no hope, and is a way we can seefirst hand the great improvement of a person’s life.”
COUNTRY – GUATEMALAPOPULATION – 14,300,000WHEELCHAIRS DELIVERED SINCE
JUNE 2000 – 5,353ESTIMATED WHEELCHAIRS NEEDED –429,000LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY TO IMPORT
WHEELCHAIRS DUTY-FREE – LowGuatemala is known as “the land ofeternal spring” because of its beautifulyear-round weather and tropical envi-ronment. The rich culture includesmany people that live their lives withthe same traditions as their ancestors,and speak 23 officially recognizedAmerindian languages, includingQuiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam,Garifuna and Xinca. The Maya civiliza-tion flourished in Guatemala and sur-rounding regions during the first millen-nium A.D. During the second half of the20th century, it experienced a variety ofmilitary and civilian governments aswell as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996,the government signed a peace agree-ment formally ending the conflict,which had led to the death of more than100,000 people and had created some 1million refugees. It is estimated that theconflicts also left thousands of peoplewith physical disabilities.
One of the Wheelchair Foundation’smost dedicated Rotarian supporters isstill hard at it, delivering free wheelchairsto the physically disabled and often for-gotten people in some of the world’shardest-to-reach corners.
Jim Walker, past district governor ofCalifornia’s Rotary District 5170, and sixother team members helped deliver 280wheelchairs recently in Antigua, Guate-mala. Jim was among the Foundation’sfirst Rotarian supporters in 2001, andhas been involved in giving the gift ofmobility ever since. It’s a gift that hasspecial meaning to this Rotarian, asJim’s wife Linda relies on a wheelchairfor her mobility.
OPPOSITEPAGE,CLOCKWISEFROM LEFT:>>> Arrivedon a skate-board to gethis newwheelchair.>>> District5300Rotarians inPuertoVallarta. >>>InteractRotarianLindsayLowenthal inGuatemala.>>>Antigua,Guatemala.ABOVELEFT: >>>Now thisboy will beable to playwith hisfriends.ABOVERIGHT: >>>A familyreceivesmobility inGuatemala.
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COUNTRY – COLOMBIAPOPULATION – 42,300,000WHEELCHAIRS DELIVERED SINCE JUNE
2000 – 2,700ESTIMATED WHEELCHAIRS NEEDED –1,269,000LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY TO IMPORT
WHEELCHAIRS DUTY-FREE – Low to mediumWith dramatically beautiful rainforests,mountains, cities, enchanting people, andincredible history, Colombia is an experi-ence to remember for any visitor. Our teammembers were struck by how normal andorderly everyday life is despite the prob-lems the country is experiencing with rebelforces in some rural areas, and the land-mine and UXO problems caused by thearmed conflicts. Colombia is one of theworld’s most complex and fascinating
countries, with over 200 indigenous lan-guages spoken throughout its population,and even the lost Pre-Colombian “Kogi”tribe that can recite their oral history of thepast thousand years.
At a distribution in Bogotá, capital of theSouth American nation, 108 free wheelchairswere delivered to physically disabled mem-bers of Colombia’s Public Force—soldiers andpolice officers—and their families who couldnot afford to buy one on their own.
“High school–aged members of District 5170’sInteract clubs raised the majority of the $21,000 neededto deliver the 280 wheelchairs to Guatemala,” saidWalker. They had bake sales, washed cars and collectedchange in donation cans. Three of the students accom-panied the distribution team to its Central Americandestination, to experience the impact that would berealized from their hands-on efforts.
“It was extremely fulfilling to have these studentsfrom the Interact clubs be able to participate in awheelchair distribution,” said Walker. “I’ve heard itsaid that a wheelchair changes lives. I could not agreemore. It changes the lives of both the recipient and thedonor in extremely profound ways.”
Lindsay Lowenthal, one of the Interact club mem-bers who went on the distribution, had a truly emo-tional experience. “This experience has opened myeyes to the world around me,” she said. “When I went
to Guatemala I saw so many people whose lives wereforever changed because of something that I was a partof. I got the feeling that I as an individual have the
power to change the world. I now know that everything one does to help out thosein need, no matter how small it may be, can make a difference and change a life for-ever. To see a smile on each face as we lifted them into their new wheelchair wasextremely rewarding and life changing for that person as well as myself.”
In recent years, Walker has accompanied more than 100 Rotarians on wheelchairdeliveries all over the world. “It is more than writing checks,” he said. “It is abouthumanitarian service. ... We go out and deliver the wheelchairs to the people whoneed them.” And even when he’s not helping people into wheelchairs in a far awaycountry, Walker is still acutely aware of the blessings awheelchair can provide. His wife, Linda, is a paraplegicafter suffering a spinal-cord injury 15 years ago. She isalso a proud veteran of four wheelchair distributions.
“I know how much a wheelchair can change a life,”Walker said. “I see it every day with my wife. I enjoyshowing others what a magic gift a wheelchair can be.”
“The Guatemala trip was extremely well received,” hesaid. “The people were very thankful for their wheel-chairs, and the Wheelchair Foundation/Rotary Clubpartnership helps us make such an immediate differencein so many lives.”
T H E A M E R I C A S
THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: >>> Father and daughter mobility inBogota. >>> Unloading wheelchairs in Santiago. >>> Elder Von and Sister Marian Sorensen changing lives in Chile. >>> Thevictims of landmines and UXO in Colombia. OPPOSITE PAGE:>>> A relic in Colombia.
T H E A M E R I C A S
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“The Wheelchair Foundation is an organization that has shown a great com-mitment to helping the people of Colombia,” said Juan Carlos Franco, direc-tor of Tejido Humano, one of two Colombian groups involved in the identifi-cation of needy recipients and the actual distribution of the wheelchairs.
The largest population of physically disabled people assisted by TejidoHumano are victims of landmines. “Unfortunately,” said Franco, “land-mines are still being put in the ground in Colombia, now more than everby these rebel insurgents, and when a Public Force member is injured, theycan no longer perform the job that was paying their salary.”
“The soldiers who received awheelchair feel appreciated forthe sacrifice they made. Theyfeel that their struggle to makeour country safer was not in vain and that the people of the United States showedtheir friendship by giving them a wheelchair.” Franco continued, “It is very difficultfor these active, healthy young men of 19 or 20 to go from their job and livelihoodone day to being bedridden the next, and sometimes for years.”
Other wheelchair recipients were physically disabled children whose parents aremembers of Public Force but cannot afford the wheelchairs their children need.
“A wheelchair,” said Franco, “costs a minimum of600,000 pesos ($235.00) – a sum of money that is impos-sible for most families to save.”
The Wheelchair Foundation is grateful for ourGlobal Partners that provided funding for these wheel-chairs, and to the U.S. Department of State and theU.S. Department of Defense who provide additionalfunding for the delivery of wheelchairs to countries suf-
fering the effects of landmines and armed conflicts.
COUNTRY – CHILEPOPULATION – 15,800,000WHEELCHAIRS DELIVERED SINCE JUNE 2000 – 4,298ESTIMATED WHEELCHAIRS NEEDED – 474,000LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY TO IMPORT WHEELCHAIRS DUTY-FREE – LowChile stretches over 2,700 miles along the southwestern coast of South America, adistance roughly the same as that from San Francisco to New York, and a naturaldiversity that goes from snow-capped volcanoes to ancient lakes and arid deserts.At the same time, its width never exceeds 150 miles, making the country more than18 times longer than its widest point. Aside from its geographic grandeur, Chile’srising economy in recent years and good financial policies have given it thestrongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Unemployment is still a seriousproblem, however, and there is little access to jobs for people with physical dis-abilities. Children without wheelchairs are unable to attend school, and the elderlyare most often confined to their homes.
It’s been just four years since Gary Winters first contacted the WheelchairFoundation to learn more about its mission—and with his phone call launched a last-ing partnership that annually gives hope and mobility to tens of thousands ofdeserving people.
Winters is manager of Major Initiatives for The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints. Since that initial contact in 2000, the LDS church has been a
participant in hundreds of wheel-chair distributions, with one of the mostrecent taking place in Chile.
“We delivered a total of 1,000 wheelchairsin several parts of Chile,” said Winters, notingthat missionaries Von and Marian Sorensenand area welfare manager Eduardo Jimenezwere instrumental in making the distributionsuccessful.
The wheelchairs were delivered by Wintersand other church members to people inSantiago, Valparaiso, Quillota, Villa Lalemanaand Kulipue. “Even after four years of workingwith the Foundation, I still have unique, emo-tional and moving experiences,” said Winters.
“We were able to give a 101-year-oldwoman her first wheelchair. She had spenther entire life depending on others but wasable, for the first time, to experience life withmobility.”
“On the same trip,” said Winters, “we alsogave a wheelchair to a nine-year-old boynamed Joun Lopez Hernandez who has beenphysically disabled since birth. A family mem-ber has always had to carry him to school.Now, with a wheelchair, he has independence.”
Winters says that the wheelchair distribu-tions show how wonderful it is for bothyoung and old to receive the gift of mobility.Joun’s mother, for example, told him that it isa “true blessing” for her son to receive awheelchair because the family could neverhave afforded one, forcing Joun to live a lifedependent on others.
“To be part of an event that distributeswheelchairs is truly a great thing,” saidWinters, “and we feel so blessed to be able tohelp so many people help themselves.”
ABOVE: >>> 10-year-old JuanEduardo gets his first wheelchair.
T H E A M E R I C A ST H E A M E R I C A S
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THE UNITED STATES AND CANADAWhile the United States and Canada have a greatlyreduced need for free wheelchairs, there are still segmentsof the populations in inner cities or remote areas that arein need of wheelchairs, cannot afford them and for onereason or another cannot get one through governmentalchannels or local agencies. The Wheelchair Foundationaddresses these needs through local sponsors and relieforganizations that operate in North America. Distributionpartners include, The Salvation Army, GoodwillIndustries, The International Association of Firefighters,Catholic Charities, and Rotary Clubs and Districts.
The goal of the Wheelchair Foundation is to deliver awheelchair to every child, teen and adult that needs onebut cannot afford one. At the same time, it is equallyimportant for us to continue to create awareness aboutthe needs and abilities of people with physical disabilitiesthroughout the world, and that wheelchairs are now anaffordable relief option. Children can go to school, adultscan go to work and provide for their families and the eld-erly can once again be part of family activities. Often,once receiving mobility, the wheelchair recipients workhard to help those less fortunate than themselves. Even ifhomes and public areas are not wheelchair accessible, themobility provided by a wheelchair greatly improves lives,and ways are found to incorporate new mobility intoeveryday life.
By spreading the word to local groups and organiza-tions, churches, service clubs, businesses, media outletsand corporations about the immediate and tangible reliefthat can be given to a person with a physical disability byjust raising $75 to sponsor a wheelchair, we can addressthe great needs of people around the world.
Many corporations and employers have matching pro-grams. If you donate $75, your employer might match it.If your child’s school or your church raises $21,000 tosponsor an entire 280-wheelchair container to the coun-try of your choice, your employer or a local corporationmight match it to deliver two containers. We receive thesetypes of sponsorships all the time.
There are many ways that our network of volunteersaround the world is helping to get the word out about the
The Need forWheelchairs in the
Americasimmediate change a wheelchair makes in a person’s life, outlook andfuture. As we spread the word about our mission, suddenly the enor-mous numbers of people waiting to receive wheelchairs seems muchsmaller. We are delivering over 10,000 wheelchairs per montharound the world, and can keep increasing this number by spread-ing the word. You can make a difference in the lives of these peoplewith very little effort, and you can know in your heart that you havehelped a global network of good people working together toimprove the quality of lives in over 100 countries.
MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICAEstimated Importation
Country Population Wheelchairs needed Difficulty
Mexico 105,000,000 3,150,000 High
Guatemala 14,300,000 429,000 Low
Honduras 6,800,000 204,000 Low
El Salvador 6,500,000 195,000 Low
Nicaragua 5,300,000 159,000 Low
Costa Rica 3,900,000 117,000 Low
Panama 3,000,000 90,000 Low
TOTALS 144,800,000 4,344,000
SOUTH AMERICAColombia 42,300,000 1,269,000 Low to medium
Venezuela 25,000,000 750,000 Medium
Guyana 700,000 21,000 Unknown
Suriname 435,000 13,050 Low
French Guyana 190,000 5,700 Unknown
Ecuador 13,200,000 396,000 Medium-high
Peru 27,500,000 825,000 Medium
Bolivia 8,700,000 261,000 Low
Brazil 184,000,000 5,520,000 Not possible*
Paraguay 6,100,000 183,000 Low
Uruguay 3,400,000 102,000 Low
Chile 15,800,000 474,000 Low
Argentina 39,000,000 1,170,000 Medium
TOTALS 336,325,000 10,989,750
*Our experience has taught us that Brazil is one of the four countries worldwide
to which it is too time-consuming and unpredictable to ship our wheelchairs
with a reasonable expectation of them being imported duty-free and actually
reaching their destination. The other countries currently on our “no ship” list
are Nigeria, Mozambique and India.
P L A N N E D G I V I N G
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Tax Beneficial DonationsThe gift of appreciated securities may allow you tomake a larger gift than you ever thought possible,and enjoy substantial tax benefits in the process.
Case Study: Appreciated Stock Is an ‘Appreciated Gift’Marc L., while not a wealthy man, has managed hismoney carefully and is today able to provide a goodlife for his family, while also helping support hisfavorite charitable organizations.
Through membership in his local Rotary Club,Marc has come to know the Wheelchair Foundationand finds great joy in donating and raising money toprovide physically disabled people in the world’s farcorners with the life-altering gift of a wheelchair.
Recently, as Marc was in the process of revising hislong-range financial plan, his attorney suggested thathe consider a gift of appreciated stock to theFoundation. It didn’t take Marc long to agree, sincesuch a gift does provide multiple benefits.
People making a gift of appreciated property that’sbeen held for more than a year—and this includeseverything from stock to a vacation home—is lookingat up to a double tax break.
First, Marc was eligible for a federal income taxdeduction based on the current fair market value ofthe stock, regardless of its original cost. In addition, hewas exempt from paying capital gains taxes on anincrease in the stock’s value—taxes he would definitelypay if he sold the stock.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Marc wasable to make a larger gift than he ever thought possi-ble to the Wheelchair Foundation. In doing so, he’ssupporting a worthy cause and setting an outstandingexample for his children and theirs.
Leaving a LegacyHelp support the mission of the Wheelchair Foundation for years to comethrough a planned gift, including gifts through your will, gifts of life insuranceand charitable trusts.
Case Study: Why a Will Is Important Beverly H., who was widowed at a young age, worked hard and investedwisely all of her adult life so that she could retire with financial security. Herlong-range plan was to eventually divide her estate between a daughter andtwo sons—while leaving a substantial bequest to the Wheelchair Foundation.
Beverly first heard about the Foundation in 2002 through the husband ofa close friend. “This is a wonderful organization,” was her initial thought,after learning of the Foundation’s mission to deliver a wheelchair to everychild, teen and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one.
Soon, Beverly was making regular donations to the Foundation, withthe major donation—the one that would cement her lifelong commitmentto caring for others— to come at her passing.
Unfortunately, Beverly suddenly fell ill and died at age 67 – before shegot around to making out her will.
The state then stepped in and divided Beverly’s estate among her chil-dren but made no provision for the Wheelchair Foundation. As a result ofBeverly not having a will, a bequest that would have given the preciousgift of hope and mobility to many deserving people was never made.
And the legacy of caring and concern that Beverly so wanted to estab-lish was never realized.
Have you drawn up your will or estate plan?
Matching GiftYour gift can help twice as much.
You may be able to double the amounts of your recent and future gifts tothe Wheelchair Foundation if you work for an organization that has an
employee matching gift program. To make your match, simply obtain a form from your company’s
matching gift coordinator (usually in the personnel or communityrelations department) and send it to the Wheelchair Foundation atthe address listed. Your company’s matching gift coordinator canalso answer questions about this program.
Your company may have a matching gift program even if youhaven’t heard about it. Please ask.
It is very easy; so double your gift by taking advantage of yourcompany’s matching gift program today.
The case studies above are simply examples of ways one can donate.Please consult your tax professional or attorney for specific instructions.
Please visit our website at www.wheelchairfoundation.org for addi-tional information about planned giving and matching gifts. Select“Planned Giving” from the “Quick Links” on left navigation bar.
The Gift of Giving
Please visit our website WWW.WHEELCHAIRFOUNDATION.ORG for:
Donation and Planned Giving InformationFrequently Asked QuestionsUpcoming EventsOur Annual ReportTravel to Wheelchair DistributionsTeam Contact InformationShopping to Benefit the Wheelchair FoundationVideos
Or call us toll-free (877) 378-3839
CALL US NOW AT (877) 378-3839 OR DONATE ONLINE AT WWW.WHEELCHAIRFOUNDATION.ORG
Sample Presentation Folder
3820 Blackhawk RoadDanville, CA 94506-4652 USA
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDK/P Corporation
EACH $75 DONATION WILL DELIVER A WHEELCHAIR ANDGREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR A CHILD,TEEN OR ADULT WITHOUT MOBILITY. YOU WILL RECEIVE ABEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION FOLDER WITH A PICTURE OF AWHEELCHAIR RECIPIENT AND A CERTIFICATE OF THANKSIN YOUR NAME OR DEDICATED TO YOUR LOVED ONE.YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF ROAD TOPURPOSE UNTIL DECEMBER 31. DONATE TWO WHEEL-CHAIRS AND RECEIVE A SIGNED COPY.
YOUcan change a lifein the name of a loved one
for the holidays and receive a free copy of Ken Behring’s
new book Road to Purpose
–his personal journey that led tothe creation of the Wheelchair Foundation,
and the stories of people we have touched.