newsletter 14 1 8-9 - wheelchair foundation...giv ingtoothersisgolden! ... update upcoming events...

mobility

S P R I N G 2 0 0 8

T H E W O R L D E S T A B L I S H E D J U N E 2 0 0 0

Changing

OUR 700 , 0 0 0 t hWHEELCHA IR

I was just in the Philippines with my dear friend and WheelchairFoundation International Board of Advisors member, formerPresident Fidel Valdez Ramos, and physican Dr. John Wilhemy.We talked briefly about the challenges being faced in thePhilippines with providing health care and good education to thepopulation of more than 87 million Filipinos. President Ramoscommented that the wheelchairs we were providing were anincredible gift of kindness and friendship, but that there was somuch more that needed to be done to assist people in need. Notonly in the Philippines, but around the world.

Recently, I launched Global Health and Education Foundation.This organization was established to build upon the tremendoussuccess of the Wheelchair Foundation and, without altering themission or operations of the Wheelchair Foundation, will identify,establish and oversee other divisions that will specialize in pro-viding aid to international health and education related areas ofneed.

One of Global Health and Education Foundation’s first projects isto provide low cost cataract surgery for tens of thousands ofpeople in Asia who have impaired vision. And we will establishnew initiatives to improve daily life for the men, women and chil-dren of the developing world.

Sincerely,

Kenneth E. BehringFounder & Chairman

A MESSAGE FROMKEN BEHRING

ABOUT US

2 Sp r i n g 2 0 0 8 whee l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g

Changing the Worldis published by the WheelchairFoundation, 3820 Blackhawk Road,Danville, California 94506 USA.Copyright 2008 WheelchairFoundation. All rights reserved.Spring 2008 Issue. Written and editedby Joel Hodge, Program Director.Contributing writers: Chris Lewis, EvaBrook, Charli Butterfield, Lee Winter

Our MissionThe Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofitorganization leading an international effort tocreate awareness of the needs and abilities ofpeople with physical disabilities, to promotethe joy of giving, create global friendship, andto deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen andadult in the world who needs one, but cannotafford one. For these people, the WheelchairFoundation delivers Hope, Mobility andFreedom.

Our GoalOver the next five years, the WheelchairFoundation aims to deliver one million wheel-chairs to people who cannot afford to buy one,and to further the awareness that a wheel-chair is no longer an unaffordable relief optionfor delivery to developing countries aroundthe world.

MobilitySince its establishment on June 13, 2000, theWheelchair Foundation has witnessed hun-dreds of thousands of examples of howmobility creates independence and new pos-sibilities for recipients and their families. Amobile child is able to attend school. A mobileadult is able to get a job and provide for theirfamily, or care for the children at home so thespouse can work. An elderly person canrejoin society or family activities after years ofstaying in a bed. The joy and hope that a sim-ple mobility device can deliver is what givespeople a new outlook on life and hope for thefuture.

missionandgoals

Contact UsWheelchair Foundation (877) 378-3839– [email protected] Foundation Canada (866) 666-2411– [email protected] Foundation Australia (13) 0076 0581– [email protected] Foundation UK (44) 1 937 580 725– [email protected]

Left to right: >>> Former President Fidel ValdezRamos, Dr. John Wilhelmy, Ken Behring andGeneral Esperon.

NEWSL INES

whee l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g Chang i n g t h e Wo r l d 3

NewslinesAfghanistan ................6,630Albania ..........................550Algeria ...........................640Angola ........................4,590Antigua and Barbuda ....280Argentina ....................8,151Armenia ......................2,964Australia ........................292Azerbaijan .....................280Bahamas ....................1,460Bangladesh ...................240Barbados .......................560Belarus ..........................990Belgium .........................280Belize..........................2,520Benin .............................280Bolivia.........................4,624Bosnia-Herzegovina.. 1,480Botswana....................1,688Brazil ..........................2,305Bulgaria .........................530Burundi ..........................520Cambodia ...................3,200Canada..........................560Cape Verde ...................780Central African Rep. ......240Chile ...........................7,508China ....................232,856Colombia ....................8,825Congo, The DemocraticRepublic of the ..............205Costa Rica..................6,455Croatia........................1,300Cuba...........................60,20Cyprus ...........................280Czech Republic .............597Dominica .......................280Dominican Republic ...8,458Ecuador ......................6,919Egypt ..........................1,058El Salvador.................5,785Eritrea............................250Estonia ..........................500Ethopia .......................2,928Fiji...............................1,620France ...........................560French Polynesia ..........280Georgia.......................1,030Ghana.........................2,240Greece...........................520Grenada ........................280Guam.............................250Guatamala..................7,863Guyana..........................250Haiti ............................1,820Honduras....................6,024Hong Kong ....................970Hungary.........................120India............................2,716Indonesia....................3,380Iran .............................3,880Iraq .............................4,300Israel...........................7,450Italy................................580Jamaica ......................3,000Japan..........................1,750Jordan ........................5,022Kazakhstan.................1,510Kenya .........................2,820Kiribati ...........................250Korea, North..................552Korea, South ..............5,380Kosovo .......................1,300Kyrgystan ...................1,240Laos...............................780Latvia.............................740Lebanon .....................2,430

Lesotho..........................780Liberia............................780Lithuania.....................1,090Macedonia.....................480Madagascar................1,030Malawi ........................2,760Malaysia .....................3,940Mali................................520Malta..............................240Marshall Islands ............140Mexico ......................93,859Micronesia ..................1,390Moldova......................1,720

Mongolia.....................1,320Montenegro ...................120Morocco......................4,530Mozambique...............1,660Myanmar (Burma) .........500Namibia .........................466Nepal ..........................3,065Nicaragua ...................5,665Niger..............................240Nigeria ........................1,310N. Mariana Islands ........410Oman.............................280Pakistan......................3,175Palestinians/Israel ......1,906Panama......................6,221Papua New Guinea ....2,080Paraguay ....................2,344Peru............................7,651Philippines ..................7,520Poland ........................2,160Portugal .........................810Puerto Rico ...................490Romania .....................3,252Russia.........................2,110Rwanda ......................2,200Saint Lucia ....................560Saint Petersburg ...........120Saint Vincent and theGrenadines....................280Samoa........................1,360Senegal .........................520Serbia .........................2,090Sierra Leone...............2,230Somalia ...........................88South Africa..............13,580Spain .............................500Sri Lanka ....................3,170Sudan ............................280Suriname.......................240Swaziland ...................1,860Syria ..............................641Taiwan ...........................756Tajikistan........................480Tanzania .....................3,268Thailand......................7,270Tibet...............................331Tonga.............................500Trinidad & Tobago ......2,444Turkey.........................4,710Turkmenistan.................520Uganda.......................4,304Ukraine .......................4,850United States............29,714Uruguay......................1,632Uzbekistan..................1,240Vanuatu .........................250Venezuela...................1,580Vietnam ....................13,056Virgin Islands (UK) ........284Virgin Islands (US) ........280Western Sahara ............153Zambia .......................2,060Zimbabwe...................2,050

WHEELCHAIRS COMMITTED OR DELIVERED

For current totals visit wheelchairfoundation.org.

TOTAL COUNTRIES AND REGIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .152TOTAL WHEELCHAIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700,000

The Keiretsu Forum Charitable Foundation was created by members of theKeiretsu Forum to encourage charitable giving among their members andfriends. Over 95 deserving charities in our community and elsewhere aroundthe world have benefited from their generous support. Members investigatecharities, and then leverage their resources and talents to assist the selectednon-profits. The Wheelchair Foundation is profoundly grateful to have beenchosen as one of the beneficiaries of their philanthropy and has received over$250,000. Mr. Kenneth Behring is now a member of the Forum and has spo-ken at several of the organization’s meetings. Fifteen Keiretsu members madesubstantial donations towards wheelchairs for China and traveled there to helpwith distributions.

KEIRETSU FORUM TRAVELS TOSUPPORT WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION

On October 20, 2007, Keiretsu Forumand the Wheelchair Foundation heldthe 1st Annual Texas Hold ’Em PokerCharity Tournament in the Ballroomat the Behring Estate. Larry Winstenof the Keiretsu Forum conceived ofthe idea and organized and chairedthe event. Over 80 players and theirguests enjoyed the wonderful buffetprepared by Scott’s Catering.Thompson Gaming supplied profes-sional gaming tables and dealers whohelped us raise over $80,000 for themission of the WheelchairFoundation and also conducted a“training” session to get everyone offto a good start. It was especially funto see both novices and seasonedpoker players competing in the finalround of the evening. Ten prizes weredonated by Keiretsu Forum members.

Texas Hold’Em Poker CharityFundraising Event

Above left: >>> Members of Keiretsu Forum in China. Right >>>Ken Behringgreets recipients at distribution of Keiretsu Forum sponsored wheelchairs.

Above: >>> Randy Williams, Founderand CEO of Keiretsu Forum, LarryWinsten, Event Chairman, Joe Perkinsand his wife. Below >>> Players at thefinal table.

The three top finalists were Joe Perkins, RandyWilliams, and Barbara Glosser.We hope that you will join in the action next year!

GETT ING INVOLVED


Braman Family Foundation and Yad Sarahmaking good use of wheelchairs in IsraelYad Sarah, a medical device provider in Israel, was able to provide38,000 people with a much needed wheelchair at no cost throughtheir loan program thanks to the BramanFamily Foundation - WheelchairFoundation partnership's generous 2007support. “We have been able to inspectand repair each wheelchair betweenloans, permitting us to lend each chair toat least 35 different people.”

All I want for Christmas are wheelchairsWhen Ed Boyce asked his wifeKirsten what she wanted forChristmas last fall, she came upwith a marvelous idea: to spon-sor a container of wheelchairsand to help distribute them.Kirsten was and is clear thatmore "stuff" is not needed, andthat helping someone else is thebest present one can receive.

In November 2007, the couple trav-eled to Ecuador, where they distrib-uted wheelchairs in the north andsouth of the country. Kirsten andEd graciously donated another con-tainer of wheelchairs for Ecuador.They will be distributed in 2008 byour great friend, Octavio Jarrin ofthe Rotary Club of La Puntilla,Guayaquil. Thank you, Kirsten andEd!

InvolvedGetting

“My name is Rachel Wolfson. Icontacted the WheelchairFoundation in December to see ifthey would be interested in work-ing with me on my Girl Scout GoldAward project, which is the highesthonor a Girl Scout can achieve. Wedecided that my project of making100 wheelchair totes was a perfectmatch for their charity. Besidesmaking the totes, I'm also fillingthem with donations ranging fromtoys, stuffed animals, socks,hygiene items and much more;which I'm still collecting to fillmore totes. What has started as anattempt at achieving my Girl ScoutGold Award has turned into an eyeopening and rewarding experience.And I look forward to doing morewith Wheelchair Foundation.”

-Rachel Wolfson

FOR THIS GIRLSCOUTGIVING TO OTHERS IS GOLDEN!

Isabella Europa, Co-President of Dublin High School Interact Club, andothers organized a week-long ‘Miracle Minute’, where for one minutein all of the second period classes at Dublin High School, in Dublin,California, students could donate their spare change to the WheelchairFoundation. “Our Interact motto this year is Kids Helping Kids. Whatbetter way to follow that motto than with this project?” By the end ofthe week, the club raised $675, enough to sponsor nine wheelchairs foryoung people in need of mobility.

High School Students ProveEvery Minute Counts

Support fromFamousWinemakersGordon Holmes, the owner ofLookout Ridge Winery and anenthusiastic donor to theWheelchair Foundation, has nowenlisted the support of severalvery well-known winemakers.Richard Arrowwood, Cathy Corison, Andy Erickson, MarcoDigiulio, Greg La Follette and Aaron Pott have created a specialportfolio of wines in conjunction with Lookout Ridge. These wineswill be available this fall and 100% of the sales proceeds will bedonated to the Wheelchair Foundation. Enjoy unique wines whilehelping to provide mobility to people throughout the world. Visitwww.wineforwheels.com for further information.

Trustee Milton Frary and his wife Elaine celebrated their 40years of marriage by taking a journey to an extremely poorarea of Tanzania to work with GMTV television presenter

Fiona Phillips on a live TV broadcast from the village of Geita.

GMTV made an approach to the Wheelchair Foundation UK to sup-ply 20 wheelchairs to a school for disabled children in Tanzania. Arecently built school for disabled had no provision to get the chil-dren with severe physical disabilities to school. Very short noticewas given to fulfill an obligation of this nature as you will appreci-ate that normal deliveries are for 280 wheelchairs and can take many

months to organize.

Geita is a gold miningtown some 95 kilome-tres from the nearestlarge town of Mwanzawith no Rotary Club,very poor qualityaccommodation, spas-modic water supply,and worse still, twoand a half hours of reddusty dirt track. Thegold mine provides nosupport to its workers

in the area. The mine also ignores the poor infrastructure as it has itsown airfield for moving its management personnel and gold.

Negotiations then took place with CFT, a small NGO in Tanzaniathat the Wheelchair Foundation had already agreed to support butwho had never themselves worked in the Mwanza, Geita area.Delivering wheelchairs to the Lake Victoria area and by callingupon as much local support from the Rotarians in Mwanza, a smallclub of just 15 members, it was possible to provide a full delivery ofwheelchairs to that area.

Without Rotary support in Geita it was also necessary to find suit-able secure storage. The owner of the local cotton gin came to ourrescue - a man who is a ‘Rotary Club’ in his own right, providingfunding and service whenever possible to a local school and hospi-tal. He also arranged to transport the disabled people from the out-lying areas to receive their wheelchairs.

Milton was able to arrange a twinning with the disabled school andthe Quaker Mount School in York, that had Dame Judi Dench as oneof their more famous pupils. They also provided some of the fund-ing towards the wheelchairs.

If you were are able to get out of bed on the 17th October you wouldhave witnessed Milton promoting the work of Rotarians in GreatBritain and Ireland to over five million viewers for their support ofthe Wheelchair Foundation UK.

Michelle Porter, a producer with GMTV at the time of her earliersite visit, was confronted by a young man who had crawled twomiles as he was under the belief that it was she who would be deliv-ering wheelchairs at that time. He made the effort to return and wasrewarded with his own set of wheels which the deputy PrimeMinister of Tanzania referred to as the “disabled person’s RollsRoyce.”

If you would like to support this community or any other in Africaor Eastern Europe, please contact Milton Frary by e-mail:[email protected]


I N TERNAT IONAL UPDATE

in Great Britainand Ireland

Wheelchair Foundation

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND TRUSTEE MILTON FRARY AND GMTV REPORTERFINONA PHILLIPS DISCUSS THE NEED FOR WHEELCHAIRS DURING A LIVE BROADCAST FROM TANZANIA >>> A YOUNG MAN RECEIVES HISFIRST WHEELCHAIR >>> RECIPIENT ARRIVING ON HANDS AND KNEES AFTER TWO MILE JOURNEY WITH THE HOPE OF RECEIVING A MUCHNEEDED WHEELCHAIR.


FEATURED STORY

Rotarians in Mexico have been actively involved as distri-bution partners since the early days of the WheelchairFoundation. It is estimated that three percent of the popu-

lation of a developing country need wheelchairs and, withMexico’s population of over 100 million, the demand for wheel-chairs there may be as high as three million.

Mexico has several advantages overother countries as a wheelchair distribu-tion destination. To travel there is easyand, despite the poverty, it is also a largeworld economy with a vibrant Rotarycommunity. Mexican Rotarians becameactive right from the start, and whilethey often could not raise funds for anentire container, they would sponsorhalf of one.

If they did not already have their own international connections,we would find them partners in the United States or in Canada.Invaluable partnerships emerged – to help those in need and toform strong connections with new friends – as Rotarians andKnights of Columbus from the US and Canada stepped up andembraced the funding challenge.

In the last four years, at least 50 wheelchair containers were co-sponsored by Mexican Rotarians! In addition, over 35 containersto Mexico were part of Rotary International Matching Grantsinvolving funding from Rotarians in Mexico, the US and theRotary Foundation. While co-sponsorships take more timebecause the process includes connecting various partners, it is amarvelous experience that creates lasting relationships.

The Wheelchair Foundation wishes to recognize andapplaud all Mexican Rotary Clubs and Districts that havecreated partnerships and distributed wheelchairs in theirregions! Some of the most active Rotary Clubs andRotarians that have co-sponsored wheelchair containerswith other Rotary Clubs or with the Knights of Columbusin a one-on-one partnership are operating in the followingcities: Hermosillo (Sonora), Monterrey (Nuevo Leon),Ciudad Victoria (Tamaulipas), Leon (Guanajuato), MexicoCity (Distrito Federal), Texcoco (Estado de Mexico),Puebla (Puebla), Villahermosa (Tabasco), and Guadalajara(Jalisco). A big “Muchas Gracias!” to these wonderfulworld citizens for not waiting for change - but creatingchange and giving hope to recipients and their families!

We expect that active co-sponsorships of wheelchairs willcontinue to be strong in the coming years, and encourageyou to check our website* for possible partnerships orcontact:

Eva Brook, Regional Director for Latin AmericaTel: 925.791.2314E-mail: [email protected].

Thanks to everyone who has helped to make the USA-Canada-Mexico partnership program a huge success!

*www.wheelchairfoundation.org/sponsors/group/grouplist.php

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VERY HAPPY YOUNG WHEELCHAIRRECIPIENT >>> RC VILLAHERMOSA, MX AND RC PLEASANTONNORTH, USA, AND SAAMIS RC OF MEDICINE HAT, CANADA >>> RCTEXCOCO PAST PRESIDENT ENRIQUEACEVEDOAND PRESIDENTDANTE MONTSALVO CELEBRATE ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PART-NERSHIP TO PROVIDE WHEELCHAIRS TO MEXICANS IN NEED.

A CHANGE COMES FROM WITHIN

MEXICO


FEATURED STORY

In 2006 the Wheelchair Foundation completed itslargest project in Mexico: 20,000 wheelchairssponsored by Ken Behring and his long-time

friend Ken Hofmann – two men who think and act ona grand scale. While the donation was given withoutconditions, it was hoped that Mexico’s entrepreneursand philanthropists would take the challenge to sup-port future wheelchair projects in the country wherethe demand for wheelchairs is approximately threemillion.

The turmoil that followed the Mexican presidentialelections of 2006 kept the focus on politics for awhile, but in 2007 Telmex Foundation, founded byCarlos Slim, stepped forward to propose a jointproject as the first step in a long-term partnership toprovide mobility for all Mexicans who need wheel-chairs.

Ken Behring has always loved partnerships andknows that joint action is the best way to accomplishbig challenges. For many years, the WheelchairFoundation has had a strong partnership with theChinese Disabled Person’s Federation, an agency thatco-sponsors wheelchairs for Chinese citizens. Thisrelationship is a model that Ken Behring envisions forother countries and one that is now well under way inMexico.

Telmex Foundation is committed, and so are KenBehring and the Wheelchair Foundation!

“We hope that the 2008 campaign that willdistribute 15,000 wheelchairs in Mexico isthe first step towards many years of a part-nership that focuses on bringing independ-ence, hope and joy to those who need awheelchair but have no other hope ofreceiving one.”

-Kenneth E. Behring and Carlos Slim

CARLOS SLIM AND KENNETH BEHRINGFORM A PARTNERSHIP

15,000 wheelchairs throughout Mexico in 2008

WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION FOUNDER ANDCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD KENNETH E. BEHRING(LEFT) AND TELMEX CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDCARLOS SLIM.


seasonhighlights

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS>

Clockwise from top left: Rotarians from University Hills, Colorado deliver wheelchairs >>> 19 year old Liliana is so happy tohave her new wheelchair >>> Rotarians from Campbell River, Canada with recipient in Arequipa, Peru>>> A young manarrives alone on hands and knees at the very end of the wheelchair distribution...>>>Rotarians from Campbell River, Canadawere thrilled to give him a wheelchair, and he felt blessed, Arequipa, Peru >>>Wheelchair Foundation CFO Earl Callisonpresents A&I Industries Ltd. President Mr.An I Huang with an award for Outstanding Service and Partnership with DriveMedical Design & Manufacturing President Harvey Diamond >>>San Jose and Oakland, California Fire Fighters deliver awheelchair to a gentleman in Nicaragua >>>Wheelchair Foundation President David Behring with recipient in Mexico>>>Long time supporter Val Nunes shares a Beanie Baby with a young recipient in the Philippines.


PH I L I PP INES PARTNERSH IP

DOLE FOOD COMPANY PARTNERSWITH WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATIONIN RURAL PHILIPPINE PROVINCES

Dolefil, a division of Dole Food Company in the Philippines,has partnered with the Wheelchair Foundation in commit-ting to providing 280 wheelchairs to local community mem-

bers. The beneficiaries of this program are from rural villages in thePhilippine provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani. Dolefilworked with municipal health officers and community social work-ers to identify those in need, and recently held a ceremony for ben-eficiaries and their families to distribute the wheelchairs. TheWheelchair Donation Program is one of Dole's numerous communi-ty response programs in the Philippines, where the company hasexisted for almost 45 years.

"The physically disabled beneficiaries of Dolefil's WheelchairDonation Program now have a greater opportunity to live and workin their communities," said David DeLorenzo, President and ChiefExecutive Officer of Dole Food Company. Kevin Davis, DolefilManaging Director, adds, "This latest wheelchair program is just oneof many Dolefil is carrying out to help members of the communityachieve a better way of life. By the end of this program, we hope tobring mobility, freedom and happiness to 280 beneficiaries and theirfamilies."

As I looked into the eyes of each and every person at the DolePhilippine distribution, I was truly touched by the smile on oneman’s face; Arthur Pelayo. His brave challenge made him as

tall as anyone else in the room!What a smile! I wanted to talk with thisman and my life changed when I did. Sitting next to him and shakinghis hand made us both feel six feet tall and equally grateful that ourlives had crossed paths.

Later that night, his father and I wereseen on the national news. We wereboth ‘overwhelmed’ with good feel-ings we had created without evenspeaking a word. Both Arthur and hisdad are now engraved in my soul!

-Mike Richter, Scottsdale, AZ

MIKE AND ARTHUR

PHILIPPINE ARMED FORCES GETWHEELCHAIRS“The handover at CampAguinaldo onWednesday 23 Jan 08 wasan extraordinary event and people were brought from all over thePhilippines to participate and get their wheelchairs. Some camefrom Ilocos Norte at the top end of the country and others fromBasilan which is way down South and Abu Sayef territory.

“Thanks to Kenneth Behring and you guys at the WheelchairFoundation, thanks to Sir Ed Artis and thanks to GeneralEsperon for putting on such a magnificent event and allowingme to be a part of it. So many people made that a day to remem-ber.

“It was, however, the disabled recipients who stole the show.Kenneth Behring and the rest of us do it for the joy of giving.

“But, we have to get it in manysmall doses over the years comparedto the joy of those recipients whoreally get a massive blast in one bighit. The joy on their faces makes it atruly special event and somethingthat changes their lives in an instant.Thank you all for the privilege ofletting me be a part of your wonder-ful event and being able to help inputting joy into the lives of others.”

-Joe Poole - Blunden - Australia

Above left to right: GeneralEsperon, Fidel Ramos, KenBehring, Dr. John Wilhemy.

1 0 Sp r i n g 2 0 0 8 whee l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Every donation of $75 helps provide mobility toa person in need. We recognize this significantsupport with a certificate of appreciation and a

representative photo of a wheelchair recipient. A giftcertificate for a copy of Founder Kenneth Behring’sbook “Road to Purpose” is included in our recognitionpackage.

We profoundly appreciate all of your fabulous supportduring the seven years of our operation. It is veryheartwarming to witness the overwhelming generosi-ty of donors and to understand how significantly theirgifts impact the lives of the recipients.

The entire cost of worldwide distribution of a wheel-chair from start to finish is $150. If you, your organ-ization, or your corporation would like to sponsor afull container of wheelchairs to a specific country, youhave the choice of two container sizes. Regardless ofthe size, all shipments include spare parts; customlogo embroidery; and Wheelchair Foundation’slegendary commitment to provide hope, freedom andmobility to individuals in need and without access towheelchairs.

Effective February 1, 2008, we have simplified thepricing structure for container deliveries:

Sponsor 110 Standard Manual Wheelchairs or 100All Terrain Wheelchairs $16,500*

Sponsor 280 Standard Manual Wheelchairs or 260All Terrain Wheelchairs $42,000*

*For a list of countries where Wheelchair Foundationcurrently distributes wheelchairs, please visit ourwebsite at www.wheelchairfoundation.org or contactour Operations staff at 925-736-2340.

WHEELCHAIRPRICINGUPDATE

UPCOMINGEVENTS

APRIL 12, 2008GIFT OF MOBILITYCAL POLY WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATIONCHAPTER, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

APRIL 19, 2008MAYOR’S CHARITY BALLWHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION / INTERNATION-AL ORPHAN RELIEF FOUNDATION BENEFITBLACKHAWK MUSEUM, DANVILLE, CA

MAY 3, 2008KENTUCKY DERBY WESTPLEASANTON, CA

MAY 10, 2008FOOD AND WINE FROM AROUND THEWORLDDIABLO VALLEY YOUNG EXECUTIVESWHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION GALLERYBLACKHAWK MUSEUM, DANVILLE, CA

MAY 12 - 22, 2008WHEELCHAIR DONOR TRIP TO CHINA

“Ever since my first wheelchair distribution, with the peopleof the Crow Indian Nation in Montana, I have known this wasto be a profound cultural education and an awakening as tothe plight of our sisters and brothers worldwide. For all of uswho have had the privilege to be part of the mission ofWheelchair Foundation, our experiences have beenblessings.

“I once delivered a single wheelchair to a home in the middleof the Congo. Our team was led up a dirt path in the bush bya group of happy, energetic kids, like pied pipers leading usto a sweet shy little girl, sitting in the dirt, waiting for herwheelchair.

“Contrast that one wheelchair with a distribution for 2,000recipients all wearing red hats in China. Suddenly you arestaring at 2,000 smiling faces in red hats staring back at you!

“Traveling the world several times a year on behalf ofWheelchair Foundation, with people who are new to me, aswell as my family and friends, has been an experience Iwouldn’t trade for anything! It has allowed me to introducemy children and grandchildren to the act of ‘giving back’.

“Because Wheelchair Foundation is a sponsor driven organi-zation, we are so delighted that we are able to say we havedelivered our 700,000th wheelchair, and we are well on ourway to our first one million wheelchairs delivered. We couldnot have done it without our wonderful supporters. Thankyou!”

Not one to shy away from a little dust and dirt, norunaccustomed to the occasional long trip in the backof a minivan to go visit a new wheelchair recipient,

Patricia Behring, the wife of Wheelchair Foundation FounderKenneth E. Behring, or “Mrs. B” as she is affectionatelyreferred to among those who know her, is the epitome ofmotherly grace. Today, as she steps out into the warm streetsoutside Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, she is excited and as chip-per and bright as ever, because she gets to donate (in person)the Wheelchair Foundation’s 700,000th wheelchair to a gen-tleman in need of mobility.

She finds him waiting for her in a small dirt courtyard in frontof his home. She and the team of traveling volunteers withher greet him and present him with his brand new shiny redwheelchair. They make sure that he is comfortable and thathe understands how everything on the wheelchair works. Hisfamily then gathers, everyone shakes hands and exchangeshappy hugs. The gift of a single wheelchair has a ripple effectthrough the recipient, to the family, and the whole communi-ty, because he is returned to them as a viable member. Manysmiles and congratulations later, “Mrs. B” and the team areoff to deliver wheelchair number 700,001.

“We have changed so many lives, not only the lives of thosereceiving wheelchairs, but the lives of our friends and familywho have traveled with us to distribute wheelchairs. Many ofwhom have never had the opportunity to give back, or shakethe hands of people who are the grateful recipients of ourwheelchairs. And, as my husband Ken says, ‘All we ask forin return is a smile,’ and I second that!

“MRS. B” AND WHEELCHAIR NUMBER 700,000

whee l c h a i r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g Chang i n g t h e Wo r l d 1 1

|Ç {xÜ ãÉÜwá`Üá AU

FROM TOP LEFT: MRS. BEHRING PRESENTS THE 700,000TH WHEEL-CHAIR IN CABO SAN LUCAS, MX >>> PATAND KEN GREETING WHEEL-CHAIR RECIPIENTS IN CHINA >>> KEN, NELSON MANDELA, AND PATBEHRING IN SANTON, SOUTH AFRICA.


KN IGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism are the found-ing principles of the Knights of Columbus. For morethan 125 years, this Catholic men’s fraternal organi-

zation has touched lives around the world with their charita-ble efforts to improve the quality of life for people in all cor-ners of the earth, and worked diligently here at home to makelife better in our own communities, for our service men andwomen, and our Veterans.

Since 2003, the Knights have sponsored the delivery of morethan 12,000 wheelchairs worldwide to people in desperateneed of mobility. During this past Veteran’s Day weekend, theKnights sponsored the delivery of 2,000 brand new wheel-chairs, valued at $1,000,000 to be distributed to Veterans inLos Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Washington, DC.

After World War I, the Knights ran a series of night schoolsfor returning Veterans to help them re-enter the job market.

In the months leading up toAmerican entry into World War II,the Knights were the first national organization to conductblood drives, an activity the K of C continued throughout thewar.

Additionally, many local K of C councils opened their doorsto servicemen. Manila Council 1000 ran a center modeled onthe army hut program in the Philippines before and after theJapanese occupation. The Knights also served as one of theorganizations of the USO (United Service Organizations).

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED

Clockwise from top: Representatives of the Paralyzed Veterans ofAmerica present our nation’s colors in Bonham, TX >>>A balloonflag welcomed Veterans and guests at the VA facility in Washington,DC >>>Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses the Veteransand dignitaries at the VA facility in Washington, DC .


During the wheelchair distributions hosted by VA facilities inthe four cities on Veteran’s Day weekend, dozens of FourthDegree Knights served as honor guards to our nation’s colorsand our Veteran heroes. K of C Supreme officers and direc-tors represented Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in LosAngeles, Bonham, TX (near Dallas), and Hines, IL (nearChicago). Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis Savoie, speakingon behalf of Supreme Knight Anderson in Hines, IL, citedPope Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical Deus Caritas Est, say-ing that “government cannot do everything, and there willalways be a need for individual voluntary contributions thatspring from ‘loving personal concern’.”

Boy Scouts helped Veterans get their new wheelchairs in sev-eral cities. Active duty service personnel were present andWest Point cadets helped Veterans in Washington, DC. It wasa festive time for people across America who appreciate ourVeterans and enjoy making their lives a bit easier.

The Wheelchair Foundation is grateful to Supreme KnightCarl A.Anderson and Knights acrossAmerica who have cometogether to do so much for our Veteran heroes in need ofmobility.

“GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO EVERYTHING, AND THERE WILLALWAYS BE A NEED FOR INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBU-TIONS THAT SPRING FROM ‘LOVING PERSONAL CONCERN’.”

From top: Fourth Degree Knights take Veterans for a spin in theirnew wheelchairs >>>(right) PVA members fire a 21 gun salute toour nation’s Veterans >>> (left) The Knights are teaching the BoyScouts to honor those who have served our country >>> Supremeofficers and directors joined State Deputy Phil Barone and 76 FourthDegree Knights from across Illinois at the wheelchair distributionceremony.

VETERAN’S DAY 2007 AROUND AMERICA

Since the mid-1990s, Drs. Robert H. and Robert A.Schuller have been building “spiritual bridges” to thepeople of the Chinese mainland by focusing on diplo-

matic relations and relationship building with the Chinesegovernment and potential China-project partners. They willbe working in cooperation with a handful of these partnersinside China to jointly meet their spiritual needs as we coop-erate to meet their physical needs. One million dollars hasbeen pledged in an array of areas that have been designed totransform the ministry’s positive message.

Initiative 1 - Wheels of Possibilities Crystal Cathedral willpartner with Ken Behring and the Wheelchair Foundation,in cooperation with the China Disabled Persons Federation,to provide nearly 8,000 wheelchairs to persons in China(approximately 80 million people in China are in need).Crystal Cathedral will turn the spotlight on each person witha heart full of dreams in a broken body – sitting in a “possi-bilities” wheelchair that we hope will become a chairlift tohis or her God-inspired dreams.

Please watch Wheelchair Foundation Founder Kenneth E.Behring on Hour of Power on Saturday night April 5th andSunday morning April 6th as Crystal Cathedral launches itsmonth-long China initiative. Learn more about the effortsof Wheelchair Foundation and Crystal Cathedral and the sixother project initiatives being undertaken by CrystalCathedral to provide opportunities to the people of China.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 - TRINITY BROADCAST NETWORK6:00 PM PACIFIC / 8:00 PM CENTRAL / 9:00 PM EASTERNSEEN ON NEARLY 100 STATIONS

ALSO SUNDAY, APRIL 6 - LIFETIME CABLE NETWORKHOUR OF POWER8:00 AM EASTERN/PACIFIC 7:00 AM CENTRAL

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR VIEWING TIMES INYOUR AREA.

CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL ANDWHEELCHAIR FOUNDATIONTRANSFORMING PEOPLE FROM

POSSIBLITY THINKERS TO POSSIBILITYDOERS!


WHEELCHA IR ANGEL PROGRAM

Angel

Wheelchair Foundation

A donor referral program that provides the gift of hopeand mobility to people in need around the world andoffers the opportunity to volunteer on a wheelchair

distribution trip.

Gordon H. Minoo M. Ashley B.

Gordon H. with 110 referralsAshley B. with 56 referralsMinoo M. with 50 referralsDiego V. with 40 referralsGlen M. with 27 referrals

Bob B. Austin W.Kevin G. Glen M.Diego V. Sandra S.Ron M. John R.

Val N. Michael M.Abide D. Charles P.Joann T. Marilyn S.Patricia B. Jill V.Debbie C. Vern H.Stephen W. Mary Ann V.

Wayne L.

Sept 2007 Ashley B. 56 referralsOct 2007 John R. 7 referralsNov 2007 Gordon H. 61 referralsDec 2007 Minoo M. 21 referralsJan 2008 Austin W. 19 referralsFeb 2008 Gordon H. 48 referrals

Your Will To HelpCreating a will is an expression of love for those you leave behind

– family, friends, and charities whose work you support. Noother planned gift is as simple to implement and as easy to

change. You maintain the use, benefit, enjoyment, and control of yourassets for as long as you need them. Making these plans means the serv-ices and programs of the Wheelchair Foundation that you have support-ed will continue to touch the lives of thousands of people for years tocome.

In a well-planned will, the cost of a bequest to our future can besurprisingly modest. Your bequest can be of a stated dollar amount or aspecific property. Some of our benefactors prefer to bequeath a certainpercentage of the ”residue” (the amount that remains after paying allinheritances, debts and costs). There are special arrangements by whichyour bequest can provide financial benefits to your family and later beused to benefit the mission of the Wheelchair Foundation.

How a Bequest Works:

▫Your will or trust directs assets to your heirs.▫Your will or trust directs a bequest to the Wheelchair Foundationfor the purpose(s) you specify.

Benefits of a Bequest:

▫Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.▫You can modify your bequest if your circumstances change.▫You can direct your bequest to a particular purpose.▫There is no upper limit on the estate tax deductions for charitablebequests.▫You can have the satisfaction now of knowing that your bequest willcontinue to support the worldwide humanitarian work of theWheelchair Foundation.

A Bequest is For You If:

▫You want to help ensure future viability and strength of theWheelchair Foundation.▫Long-term planning is more important to you than an imme-diate income-tax deduction.▫You want the flexibility of a gift commitment that doesn’taffect your current cash flow.

A Bequest is Easy, Versatile, Revocable, and Tax-Wise.Join the donors who have made the thoughtful decision to support theWheelchair Foundation through their estate plans. For these gifts we areprofoundly grateful.

A variety of planned giving options can provide financial advantages foryou now and in the future! Please consult your financial or tax advisor.For additional information on including a charitable gift to theWheelchair Foundation, please contact Lee Winter at 925.648.3824 [email protected].

Wheelchair Foundation is a Division of Global Health and EducationFoundation


PLANNED G IV ING

People require the use of a wheelchair for many reasons: accidents, birthdefects, war injuries, debilitating diseases and advanced age, just to name afew...

• One of the most horrific causes of disability worldwide can be attributed tolandmines or unexploded ordinance (UXO). According to the World HealthOrganization (WHO), every year more than 29,000 people are injured by land-mines or UXO around the world. This number does not include unreportedcases or those who are killed by the explosions.• An estimated 100-150 million people worldwide with physical disabilitiesneed wheelchairs, though less than one percent own or have access to one. Thenumber of physically disabled is likely underestimated, due to the difficulty inaccounting for “forgotten” citizens who spend their lives hidden from sight.• It is estimated that the number of people who need wheelchairs will increaseby 22 percent over the next 10 years, with the greatest need existing in devel-oping countries.• In developing countries, only a small percentage of those who need wheel-chairs have them, forcing dependence upon family and friends to get around.For others, the only way to get around is to crawl, or lie in a bed or corner of aroom for years at a time.

HOW THE WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION ISADDRESSING THE NEED• We purchase wheelchairs in bulk, sometimes up to 10,000 wheelchairs amonth, of a design that’s the best possible solution for use in developing coun-tries. They are shipped in a 100 to 280-wheelchair sea container and providedfree of charge to those most in need. If purchased on its own, this wheelchairwould normally cost up to $500 in the US and can sell for up to $1,500 US insome developing countries.

HOW YOU CAN HELP• Your donation of $75 or $150 will help sponsor, ship and deliver a wheel-chair to someone in need. If you are interested in a specific country and/orwish to participate on a distribution trip, consider sponsoring an entire con-tainer of 100 to 280 wheelchairs. For those details, please contact ourOperations Staff at (925) 791-2340.

• Get the word out! Tell everyone you know that you are now a part of an ambi-tious relief mission that’s already delivered over 700,000 wheelchairs to 152countries in just seven years!

• Have a fund-raiser! A dinner or cocktail party in your home can serve as avenue to tell people about helping others. Local businesses, organizations andschools can all help. We can supply materials to you to help us change theworld.

• Corporate Sponsorship: Help us find corporations that have interests in coun-tries that need our help. We can target their sponsorship to specific countriesand needs, and can provide custom logo embroidery on the wheelchairs toidentify the sponsor of an entire wheelchair container. They will be heroes, andmany people will be given a new lease on life.

For further information, please visit our websitewww.wheelchairfoundation.org or call toll free (877) 378-3839.Our Federal Tax ID # 94-3353881

THE WORLDWIDE NEED FORWHEELCHAIRS

EACH $75 DONATION HELPS DELIVER A WHEELCHAIR ANDSUPPORTS THE MISSION OF WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION. YOUCAN GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FORACHILD, TEENOR ADULT WITHOUT MOBILITY. YOU WILL RECEIVE A BEAUTIFULCERTIFICATE OF THANKS WITH A PICTURE OF A WHEELCHAIRRECIPIENT IN YOUR NAME OR DEDICATED TO YOUR LOVED ONE.YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A FREE COPYOF ROAD TO PURPOSE. DONATE TWO WHEELCHAIRS ANDRECEIVE A SIGNED COPY. USE OUR NEW GIFT CERTIFICATE TOSEND ROAD TO PURPOSE TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. ITMAKES A WONDERFUL GIFT!

CALL US NOW AT (877) 378-3839 OR DONATE ONLINE AT WWW.WHEELCHAIRFOUNDATION.ORG

3820 Blackhawk RoadDanville, CA 94506-4617 USA

A Division of Global Health and EducationTax ID # 3353881

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 260

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Be Sure to watch Kenneth Behring onHOUR OF POWER WITH DR. ROBERT

SCHULLER ON APRIL 5TH AND 6TH, 2008!CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS

YOU can change a lifein the name of a loved oneand receive afree copy of Ken Behring’sbookRoad to Purposean account of his personal journey thatled to the creation of the WheelchairFoundation,and the stories ofpeople we have touched.

newsletter 14 1 8-9 - wheelchair foundation...giv ingtoothersisgolden! ... update upcoming events...

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