Rotary District 6110 Newsletter Vol. 3

ROTARY

DISTRICT 6110

this issue • Acapulco • Tyson Tigers • Hogeye Marathon

Rotarians Delivering Freedom, Mobility and Independence

Changing the Lives of Entire Families The thirteenth annual wheelchair distribution trip for the Rotary Club of Springdale, AR and District 6110 was to the city of Acapulco in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Most people think of Acapulco as the beautiful destination it is, but don’t realize it is in the third poorest state of all 32 Mexican states.

Our Mission The American Wheelchair

The sides of Acapulco never seen by tourists, are the homes of very poor people without mobility, and the Teleton Rehabilitation Center for Children or CRIT, that helps children with a myriad of physical disabilities get treatment and preparation for a better life. It is estimated that more than 500,000 children in Mexico are in need of a wheelchair but cannot afford one.

Mission is a non-profit organization with a goal to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs and mobility aids to physically disabled children, teens and adults throughout the world who are without mobility or the means to

The life-changing gift of mobility in the form of 280 brand new wheelchairs, sponsored by the Rotarians of District 6110, had a profound impact on the residents of the area. Very few spoke English, but the universal language of love and gratitude came through loud and clear from every recipient, their families and friends.

acquire a wheelchair. The American

Wheelchair

Mission will continue to change the lives of entire families with the gifts of hope, dignity, freedom and independence.

The first day of distributions was at the CRIT center in Acapulco. Approximately 100 children received their new wheelchairs that day. For some small children, the CRIT will put an adaptive seat into the wheelchair for proper support, but others got in and immediately laid rubber. Parents who were carrying large children every day fought back tears of joy. Their lives would also be changed immediately. Many smiles, tears, hugs and warm embraces were enjoyed by everyone.

The Need We estimate more than 100 million people worldwide are in need of a wheelchair but cannot afford one.

Our gift

immediately changes the lives of entire families by answering prayers and making

dreams

come

true.

32 Rotarians and family members traveled from all four states of District 6110 to participate in the life changing delivery of wheelchairs. They were welcomed by the local CRIT staff and

1 American Wheelchair Mission

volunteers as family, and enjoyed the hands on Rotary service by working with local Rotarians at the CRIT and at the American University of Acapulco.

The second day of distributions was in conjunction with local Rotarians at the American University. Local school children performed for the group and everyone enjoyed the fellowship. People from the local community could not believe they would receive a wheelchair.

Several Rotarians brought their children and grandchildren to participate in the humanitarian mission.

The Rotarians and their families from District 6110 have had an enormous impact on the families of wheelchair recipients in Acapulco with the delivery of 280 wheelchairs. During this thirteenth annual wheelchair distribution, many lives were changed, and the stories of prayers being answered and dreams coming true continue.

Coffeyville, KS President Kurt Long and his wife, Kate, meet Felix Morales and his mom

Perry Ford and Eric Brunner are enjoying the experience

$150 Sponsors the delivery of a brand new wheelchair The

wheelchair

ered

by

deliv-

the American

Wheelchair Mission would sell for more than $500 at a medical supply store.

Yet because we purchase wheelchairs directly from the manufacturer, and ship

Rhonda Frietag and Gustavo Hernandez share a joyful moment

John Hammond is about to change Cristobal Acosta’s life

them 100 to 280 wheelchairs at a time by ocean freight containers directly to the country of destination, we can deliver this $500 wheelchair with each $150 donation we receive.

VISIT OUR SITE Amwheelchair.org On our website you will see

Rotarians and families at the Teleton Center

videos of wheelchair distributions around the world, photos of people and their families who had their lives changed by the gift of a wheelchair, and stories of our mission that touches lives in a very tangible and immediate way.

Join Us! Join us on a wheelchair distribution trip – Please email

Roberto Luna seems to know his life has changed today

Emma and her mom Amberly meet this very thankful man at the American University

Chris

Lewis

at:

clewis@amwheelchair.org for details.

2

www.amwheelchair.org

Kate and Kurt Long are changing more lives

The CRIT in Guerrero state is only 3 years old

3

Stewart Brunner celebrates with a young recipient

American Wheelchair Mission

Six year old Emma Baker gets a warm embrace

A wheelchair changes the lives of entire families

Alan Fulton makes lifting a wheelchair look easy

Guerrero is one of the poorest of the 32 states of Mexico

Chris and Debbie Weiser receive a heartfelt thank you

Three generations of the Piker family working together to change lives

Amberly Baker just answered this young girl’s prayers

DG Herb Orr meets a grateful man at the local Rotary Club distribution

Springdale President Sam Hollis meets a happy young man

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www.amwheelchair.org

Tyson Tigers - 11 Years of “Working for Wheels” By: Cathy Crouch This year, the Tyson Tigers raised $11,078.45, bringing the 11-year total to over $86,000, and delivering 573 wheelchairs to children, teens and adults in need of mobility.

Here’s how the 11th annual fund raising effort took place: Cathy Crouch collaborated with Tyson Elementary teachers Linda Skelton, Valerie Harp, and Amanda Ford to help the kids design their savings/contribution envelopes, learn the song “Man in the Mirror” as the theme song for this year, and educate students about the Springdale Rotary and District 6110’s ongoing wheelchair delivery mission. By showing them photos of the wheelchairs delivered to children in Mexico that had been sponsored

by Tyson Elementary, the purpose of the mission was clear.

Valerie read books about children in need of wheelchairs and Cathy read “The Can-Do Pigs” to help the kids think of jobs they could do to save for their wheelchair donations. Cathy also worked with the 3-5th grade students on building a “Decision Making Chart” to decide on which chores could be done to earn money for their donation.

5

4th and 1st graders Knox

American Wheelchair Mission

and Rigley Graham once again led the pack with their innovative collection of donations. Knox spoke to several groups of business people and his parents’ friends, sharing how much he cared about this project. Many agreed to match the funds Knox was raising, and many donated $150 to sponsor entire wheelchairs in his name.

Knox created a giant Razorback Lego sign, and sold chances to win it at school, bringing in a handsome sum for his donation. First grader Rigley held his second annual “ART for Wheels” show in the spring. He created more than one hundred paintings, and let the donors pay what they wanted toward wheelchairs.

cheered their Tyson Tigers cheer. Then Tyson Foods presented a check for $500, which pushed this year’s total over $11,000 in donations!

Buddy the chicken welcomes the Tyson Tigers to the Tyson Foods headquarters

The kids returned their beautiful donation envelopes to school, and they were put on display. From 10 cents to hundreds of dollars, each donation makes a difference in the life of a child, teen or adult who will receive a wheelchair.

Everyone celebrated the annual “Walk for Wheels” from John Tyson Elementary to the Tyson Foods Headquarters. Buddy the Chicken welcomed the students, and dozens of Tyson employees cheered as the group gathered in a huge circle at the front of the building. The kids sang “Man in the Mirror” for everyone assembled, and

Cathy Crouch and Knox Graham with his Razorback Lego

Tyson Tigers Walk for Wheels

Hogeye Marathon In 2016, the Hogeye Marathon and Relays will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Directed by Rotarian Tabby Holmes, this is the oldest continually run marathon in the state of Arkansas.

Proceeds from this annual event are distributed to numerous charities, including the American Wheelchair Mission.

The Rotary Club of Springdale and Rotary District 6110 have been involved in the marathon for the past 12 years. One of the original marathon founders, Dr. Barry Brown, contacted Rotarian Noel Morris with the idea of using Rotary volunteers to serve as course monitors, exchanging their time spent for dollars toward the club’s wheelchair project. He felt it was only logical that runners and those who could walk should help those who could not walk.

last 6 years to the American Wheelchair Mission. That number represents 220 children, teens and adults who have received the gift of mobility through this great effort, and every member of their family has had their lives improved.

Thank you to the good people of the Hogeye Marathon for all you are doing for the community, and for helping us answer the prayers of people without mobility.

2015 Marathon Medal To learn more about the event, please visit: www.hogeyemarathon.com

The start of the 2015 Hogeye Marathon

In 2011 Rotarian Gary Piker joined the Hogeye as Course Volunteer Director responsible for recruiting volunteers and organizing course monitors to provide safety to runners.

Because of the involvement of members from The Rotary Club of Springdale as well as Rotarians from District 6110, the Hogeye has distributed $33,300 over the

Celebrating at the finish line

6 www.amwheelchair.org

The American Wheelchair Mission delivers free wheelchairs to children, teens and adults without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair.

We deliver brand new, high quality wheelchairs by entire sea containers.

2003 – Tepic, Mexico 2004 – Tepic, Mexico 2005 – Constitucion & La Paz, Mexico 2006 – Puebla, Mexico 2007 – Zihuatanejo, Mexico 2008 – San Jose, Costa Rica 2009 – Cancun, Mexico 2010 – Panama City, Panama 2011 – Spanish Town &

The brand new wheelchairs we deliver in 5 sizes (12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch seat widths) would sell for over $500 in a medical supply store, but because we ship by 100 to 280 wheelchair containers from the factories directly to the country of delivery, we can do this at an average price of $150 each for a basic mobility wheelchair.

For entities interested in delivering an entire container of wheelchairs to a specific country or local destination, a gift of $16,500 will deliver a shipping container of 100 pneumatic, mountain bike or 110 solid rubber tire wheelchairs to a country specified by the donor, from our list of approved destination countries. A gift of $42,000 will deliver a container of 260 pneumatic, mountain bike tire or 280 solid rubber tire wheelchairs. A logo or short text of the donor’s choice will be stitched onto the back of each wheelchair when sponsored by container.

At retail these containers of wheelchairs are valued at $55,000 and $140,000. (For special sizes or delivery locations prices may vary) The wheelchairs we deliver allow children to go to school for the first time, adults to go to work to provide for their families and the elderly to get out of a bed that they may have been confined to for years at a time. We are answering the prayers of entire families.

Our mission is to deliver a wheelchair or mobility aid to anyone in dire need who cannot afford one. Over 100 million people worldwide need a wheelchair but cannot afford one! Our gift delivers Hope, Dignity, Freedom and Independence.

We estimate that each wheelchair delivered changes and improves an average of 10 lives!

2012 – Guanajuato, Mexico

The American Wheelchair Mission also delivers all terrain wheelchairs and pediatric wheelchairs for children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. These wheelchairs are custom fitted and require additional funding. In addition, we deliver canes, crutches, walkers, seat cushions and other mobility aids as needed.

2013 – Cancun, Mexico

For more information about our mission, please visit our website at www.amwheelchair.org, or contact:

Montego Bay, Jamaica

2014 – Puebla, Mexico 2015 – Acapulco, Mexico

Cathy Crouch Volunteer Director – Midwest 111 Suttle Drive Springdale, AR 72764 cjcrouch@amwheelchair.org (479) 751-5735 / (479) 409-4634

Chris Lewis President 2505 Anthem Village Drive, Suite E 602 Henderson, NV 89052 clewis@amwheelchair.org (702) 580-0705 Right: Veronica Marin will now be able to start first grade because of her new wheelchair

© Copyright 2015 American Wheelchair Mission | Photos by: Randy Hale, Chris Lewis & Contributing Photographers

Springdale / 6110 Delivery Missions