FWM Distribution Report: Philippines

Sarina E. Estacio

Age: 19 years old

Case: Paralyzed body due to polio 

and over dose of medicines

 

Seven years ago, Sarina was a normal 11-year old girl in Barangay, Dos Hermanas, Talisay City. She was a picture of an ordinary daughter living a normal life, going to elementary school as a regular pupil and excited to go to high school, since she was a graduating student. Together with her father, mother , and 3  brothers, they had a normal life and everything was fine until one evening.

She was brought to the hospital, to Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City because she had a fever. When they arrived there, the doctor ordered to inject her certain medication. Seconds after the injection, she went into a cardiac arrest; she was brought to the intensive care unit, went into 50-50 and almost lost her life. It was not clear what solution was injected; what’s clear is that it was a case of medical malpractice. From there on, her life was and forever will be changed.

Her condition now is very depressing and outrageous. Her whole body, arms and legs became paralyzed. She stopped going to school and stayed at home all the time. She can’t even speak and express what is on her mind. She lost her independence, her dignity and an essence of what life is. Because of that terrible medical mistake, she virtually lost hope to reach her dreams, succeed in life and help her family out of the web of poverty.

For her, life is almost hopeless, useless and gloomy. Until now, his father who works at a sugar central in Negros Occidental (Visayas Island) is still paying from his monthly salary deductions for the expenses they incurred in the hospital, which total more than one million pesos (USD 22,500). Her mother spends all of her time taking care and meeting her needs.

            

Last July, Children International – Philippines, Inc. and Free Wheelchair Mission turned over one wheelchair through the Local Government of Talisay City. Certainly, a wheelchair cannot bring back the lost dreams and resources. Surely, a wheelchair cannot bring back everything to normal as life was seven years ago. However, that single piece of metal with wheels from generous sponsors delivered a simple, but yet profound message to Sarina’s family and to Sarina herself: a message of care, charity and compassion.

Staff Bio #3 - Tony Luna

Hello! My name is Tony Luna and I’m a development officer at Free Wheelchair Mission. My main role is to help donors find new and meaningful ways of impacting the lives of wheelchair recipients. I also work on new product development and creating marketing strategies. I have been with Free Wheelchair Mission for over two years and have been working in the international non-profit sector for 13 years.

My wife Heidi and I have been married for 4 years (this November…I thought I should put that in just in case my wife thought I didn’t remember), and have a one-year old little boy named Oliver. We enjoy traveling to different parts of the world to experience other cultures and their traditions. I also enjoy playing basketball and watching sports, especially the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and Da Bears.

I am looking forward to the fall when I will be traveling to Tanzania to distribute wheelchairs with some of our donors.

Not a Fan Yet? Join Us Today!
$5920 will be donated if we reach 5,920 fans by July 31.

That's 100 Wheelchairs!

Just click on the "Like" icon in the FB FAN BOX to the right.

Staff Bio #2 - Mike Kenyon

Hi, My name is Mike Kenyon and I’m the Pastor of Church Development at Free Wheelchair Mission. My role is to help churches get involved around the country in the cause of mobility. My primary role is to work with Pastors to determine how best they can engage their people. So, we offer curriculum to educate and give support to volunteers who want to tell other people about Free Wheelchair Mission.

This summer we launched a curriculum for families called, “And Away We Go- an adventure in love, compassion and action.” This 5 lesson teaching resource is being used by dozen of churches for their vacation bible school programs this summer. Really fun stuff.

My wife Allison and I have been married for 10 years (this summer) and have two young children: Austin and Kylie. We love to spend time with other families in our neighborhood, go to Yogurtland and have picnics at the beach. I enjoy playing basketball and tennis. I’m even getting more involved with acting again (as a little side hobby), entering my 12th year as a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Next week I leave for Sri Lanka to give away wheelchairs for the first time. I can’t wait!!!!

2nd Annual Fajita Festival Dances to Success

Though Las Cruces, NM was fiery hot as far as the weather was concerned, it didn’t keep people away from enjoying the amazing festivities planned which included folklorico dancers, mariachi bands, a native Indian dance, singers, magicians, a bounce house, and good food for the 2nd Annual Fajita Fiesta in the Mesilla Plaza.

We were honored to be welcomed by the Mayor of Mesilla, Nora Barazza, as well as Miss Teen New Mexico, Victoria Padilla, as they stood alongside the wheelchairs while the local ROTC had a presentation of the flags. The local Ambassador for the area, Dennis Prickett, was also alongside to encourage donations along with Alyson Roth, Development Manager, from the Free Wheelchair Mission in Irvine, CA.

The rich history of Mesilla and the entire Las Cruces area of New Mexico makes it a great place to visit, but their contagious philanthropic passion for Free Wheelchair Mission is what makes it even more exciting. To date, the community has raised over $90,000 to help give wheelchairs to those in Mexico, and they are currently working on getting more wheelchairs across the border to those in need.

Free Wheelchair Mission is extremely proud of the successful weekend (June 12-13th) and looks forward to lifting more people up off the ground in Mexico for the low cost of $59.20 – and the recipient gets the wheelchair for free! Thank you, Las Cruces, for continuing to bless other people through your gifts, talents, and volunteerism!

To make a donation towards their efforts, please visit their FUNDRAISING PAGE HERE.

FWM on the ground in Haiti - Team of 6 assembles chairs

A mission trip to Haiti made up of Free Wheelchair Mission supporters and friends is now in Port-au-Prince and working side-by-side with our distribution partner Operation Blessing International. The group of six, led by long time volunteer and supporter, Bill Rice, arrived in the Dominican Republic on May 21st and drove across the border into Haiti on the 22nd where they are now busy assembling and distributing wheelchirs.

Their trip has not been without a few surprises along the way – for one, the container of wheelchairs they were scheduled to meet and distribute was held up at the border and did not make it across in time, due to changes in import requirements.

However, thankfully, FWM partner Operation Blessing International had just cleared a container of wheelchairs this week as well, and the FWM mission group was invited to join the people of OBI in assembling and distributing wheelchairs Thursday and Friday.

Also on the trip, photographers Jason Carr and Krystof Andres are accompanying the mission; the two are volunteering their time and paying their own way, not only assisting with the wheelchair distributions, but lending their talents to FWM by documenting the trip and providing quality high definition footage of the mission trip. The videos Jason and Krystof create will help spread the word about the ongoing need in Haiti, and inform supporters of the FWM mission to providing Haitians with thousands more wheelchairs over the next several years.

Generous Donor Pledges $5,920 for 5,920 Fans!

Free Wheelchair Mission wants YOU…

to tell all your friends about FWM!

Help us send 100 free wheelchairs
around the world!

Here’s the deal:

If we reach 5920 fans by 7/31/10,

a generous donor will gift us $5920.00!

(That’s 100 wheelchairs!!)

5920 fans = $5920.00 = 100 wheelchairs!

What easier way to lift a hundred people
into a clean and sturdy wheelchair?

Go to our FACEBOOK PAGE,

click on “SUGGEST TO FRIENDS”
and send mobility around the world!

A great evening for a great cause - save the date - May 16th!

An inexhaustible team of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese is once again coming together to provide an entire shipment of wheelchairs to those in need in southern Vietnam!

Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong is the name of a powerhouse humanitarian group located in Orange County, California, that works to serve the disabled in Vietnam. At last year’s inaugural fundraising dinner, the group raised enough money for Free Wheelchair Mission to send hundreds of wheelchairs overseas, and provided mobility for people in many regions of southern Vietnam:

This year, the group is back and more enthusiastic than ever. Their goal? To beat last year’s total, and raise TWO containers of wheelchairs! That’s 1100 wheelchairs, and 1100 people to be gifted with the “transforming gift of mobility” thanks to Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong.

You can be a part of this inspirational evening!

2nd Annual Dinner Fundraiser hosted by Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong.
Sunday May 16, 2010
5:00PM – 10:00PM

Mon Cheri Restaurant
3510 West Lincoln Avenue
Anaheim, California 92801

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (714) 418-2499 or 949-306-2873.

Making a Difference in Haiti, Camera in Hand

Jason Carr and his friend, Krystof Andres, are leaving for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in less than a month. The two will be part of a Free Wheelchair Mission group that will assemble and distribute 1,100 desperately needed free wheelchairs in six days to the people of Haiti.

But Jason and Krystof have a different primary agenda. They have chosen to document their experiences with the mission as well as the current situation in Port-au-Prince, and for that, they will be taking some serious video equipment with them. Through the use of high-definition video and still photography, the two will film as much as possible, hoping to help the Haitian people, and to show the world the power of a simple chair with four wheels.

“I’m so committed to this cause,” Jason said. “If I have any skills at all that can help lift people off the ground, then this is going to be one of the most amazing and important things I do in my lifetime.”

Jason is a self-proclaimed handyman, and a professional cameraman. He intends to wear both hats for duration of his journey.

“If you would have asked me last year or five years ago, what I want to be when I grow up, I would have said that I want to travel the world, and I want to document nature and culture,” Jason said with a wide, gap-toothed grin and childlike enthusiasm.

“I’ve always wanted to give back,” Jason said. “It feels good to combine giving with what it is I enjoy doing.”

But time is not the only thing that is required of Jason on this trip, and the costs are quickly adding up.

“Project Lifted is just a name I assigned to what I’m doing to raise money to go on the trip, to help build and distribute the chairs and document everything,” Jason said.

Jason and Krystof have started a website, http://fwm.kintera.org/projectlifted to help support their expenses, and to raise money for twenty-five additional wheelchairs. Jason and his friends are also organizing several upcoming fundraising events in Long Beach and Santa Monica.

“Just watch the videos; look at the Free Wheelchair Mission’s YouTube channel. Look at the slideshows. It’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen,” Jason said. “And to think that I’m going to be part of that? It’s the best. Knowing that I have skills that I can lend to help these people, that’s what it’s about.”

To help with Jason’s cause, log on to http://www.projectlifted.org/. Learn more by joining the Project Lifted Facebook page and sign up to follow the two on Twitter. You can also visit Jason and Krystof at the Basement Lounge in Long Beach on May 8, World Café in Santa Monica on May 11, or go to www.freewheelchairmission.org to learn more about the wheelchairs and the organization.

Krystof Andres (left) and Jason Carr (right) sit in front of the Project Lifted Installation they made at a small gallery on 4th and Cherry in Long Beach, CA.

United As One - Making a Difference

Free Wheelchair Mission thanks UPS for the band of friendly and hardworking volunteers that journeyed to our Irvine offices a few weeks ago!

Volunteers had a couple of important jobs they covered during this visit – one group worked on finishing up an important volume of correspondence, creating a good bit of support for our office management staff.

For another group, building wheelchairs was the order for the day, and their assembly skills were most appreciated as they were able to assemble 20 wheelchairs!

The UPS volunteer activities covered two days, and the atmosphere of general good cheer that accompanied their presence was most definitely appreciated.

Project Lifted

The following was posted online by a woman helping her nephew's endeavor to promote FWM.

My nephew, Jason Carr, and six other volunteers have joined hands with FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION to help build and distribute 1,100 free wheelchairs in Haiti. They are leaving Southern California 5/21/2010. Jason will also be filming and photographing the mission in an effort to help Free Wheelchair Mission reach their goal of providing 8,000 free wheelchairs to the crush victims of Haiti's recent and devastating earthquake.

They would greatly appreciate your support in their venture to transform lives through mobility! THIS IS AN UNFUNDED TRIP FOR THEM, AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP. There will be a benefit at a local venue TBA later this week. They need donations to help fund the trip as well as contributions for a raffle. Please help in providing a significant humanitarian impact to an area that has suffered far too much.

Please contact Jason @ 714.458.6896
email: jason@projectlifted.org
follow them at http://www.projectlifted.org/

DONATE HERE

(The Donate Link goes to the group's own fundraising page to support their travel expenses.)

Two Feet, 200 Miles, 200 Lives Changed

(…we asked Ambassador Ryan Dexter from Wisconsin if we could share his story about running, life, faith…and the quest for wheelchairs: )

“I’m upping the stakes and running for a reason this May - a 200 mile trail run through the Green Mountains of Vermont. I’ve been preparing for this adventure for years – now that I’m running for wheelchairs, it’s even more important to get the word out.

So here’s how I became an Ambassador for Free Wheelchair Mission – I’d been thinking about my race and how I could make it into something that would help others. I learned about FWM when my church did an offering last Christmas. At the time, I didn’t think much about wheelchairs, or how hard it would be to survive without one. I have to draw attention to this! It’s just inhumane that people that have to crawl when there’s a wheelchair that can be provided for under sixty bucks.

I’ll have a great crew helping me out this May, but the 200 miles we are attempting to run is nothing compared to what many people have to do each and every day of their lives. We’re going to suffer for what, maybe 48 hours? Put that up against a lifetime of pain – there’s really no comparison.

Now, this is a race and we are in it to win it, but I am bolder than ever knowing that I’ll be running while raising money for Free Wheelchair Mission. My goal is to WIN, and to raise enough funds for a wheelchair for every mile we are running! I’ll run the miles, but I’ll need your help with the wheelchairs! That’s 200 miles to go and 200 wheelchairs to raise. I definitely think we can do it! Let’s make a difference in 200 lives around the world.”

Thank you!
Ryan Dexter, Ambassador for Mobility

Help Ryan raise 200 wheelchairs!

http://fwm.kintera.org/dexterthepunisher

Making an Impact Around the Globe!

Free Wheelchair Mission was presented with a check for $15,000 at the inaugural awards ceremony of Impact Giving, Orange County’s newest collective nonprofit. Held at the Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa on April 1, FWM was among several worthy causes honored by this dynamic, newly-formed philanthropy.

Since its inception, Impact Giving has attracted over 100 supporters willing to pledge $1,000 annually in support. With goals to “engage, educate and empower,” the all-female organization works to effect positive social change on a local, national and global scale.

Success is a key requirement for award allocations, according to Carol Olson, founding board member and policy chair of Impact Giving. “We require the grant applicants to provide measurable objectives and proof of effectiveness,” she said. “We carefully review each nominee and even examine their financial records as part of our decision-making process.”

“We are grateful for this gift,” said Stuart Nichols, Executive Director of FWM. “What an honor to be a part of Impact Giving’s first grant season!”

To learn more about Impact Giving, please go to http://www.impactgivingnow.org/

He was injured during his rescue when a pick ax went through his foot

Our partner Christian Aid Ministries took some wheelchairs they had stored at their U.S. facilities into Haiti – here’s a brief recipient story:

March 25-29, 2010     From the Field (Titanyen, Haiti)

Patrico was the first patient at our recovery hospital. He was trapped and then injured during his rescue when a pick axe went through his foot. People were dying around him, and he saw the rescuers chop off the foot of his friend to save him. He is one of the first injured persons in Haiti to receive a FWM wheelchair.

For faraway places, That we do not know, Have reached out their hearts, And replenished our souls

We open hundreds of inquiry emails a year here at FWM – people asking about how to get a wheelchair, how to give a donation, how to change a mailing address, a plethora of queries essential to our work and important to our mission …but every once in a while we receive an email that truly takes our breath away, and reminds us once again why we do what we do.

Received in our office 3/30/10:

For our names make no difference,
But we are all the same,
Countries of war,
or birth defects,
or natural disasters,
Have taken away,
Our abilities to walk,
For the most amazing thing happened,
This fine and glorious day,
A miracle came our way,
As the trucks pulled into our village,
We all gathered around,
To see what was going on,
To our amazement,
Boxes and boxes of things,
Unloaded,
"What could they be?"
For the driver got out,
And went to my son,
Picking him up off the ground,
He put him in a chair that had wheels on it,
The tears rolled down his face and mine,
Able after 14 years to move around,
Not for the young,
But also the old,
Sobbing and tear of joy rang out,
GOD has come to help us out.
For faraway places,
That we do not know,
Have reached out their hearts,
And replenished our souls.
Please if you find it in your heart Check out this web site, And clear your doubt. www.freewheelchairmission.org

Blessing to you all!
 SH 03/30/10

Reaching people who really had less than any of us could ever imagine

I wanted to tell you a quick story about how our recent donation of $500 was made to your organization.

My parents passed away this year without much notice to us just about 3 months apart after 55 years of marriage. They were the shining light and love that guided their four children and 10 grandchildren. Knowing that this holiday would be sad my brothers and I decided the best way to cope with Christmas and our loss was to give to others. We gifted each grandchild $500 but they had to choose a charity and donate the funds in memory of their grandparents. My daughter, the oldest grandchild wrote the following:

“Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you about an organization I would like to donate the money to. I had a few organizations in mind but none of the ones I was thinking about seemed to reach people who really had less than any of us could ever imagine. I began to think about what kinds of non profits I would like to donate to and I knew that I wanted to find a Christian organization that was based in Christ but also met the physical needs of people.

"I am in the health care field so I began to do some research about Christian Healthcare based ministries. I had never heard of this organization before but I would like to donate my money to Free Wheelchair Mission. They make and deliver wheelchairs free of charge to people who need wheelchairs all over the world but have never had one before. Having a wheelchair could change a person’s life who was paralyzed or couldn’t walk, they could get a job, learn a skill or care for their family. The ministry makes wheelchairs out of plastic lawn chairs and other normal wheelchair parts and gives them to people who can’t afford a wheelchair. The chairs cost only 50 dollars to make a ship so 500 dollars could pay for 10 chairs and change 10 people’s lives. Thank you so much for this opportunity - I am excited to share why I chose this charity with the rest of the family! The website is www.freewheelchairmission.org "

Love, Christa

God Bless - Celeste

This story is from one of our supporters.

They cannot afford to buy a wheelchair, so they wait

Vietnam is a beautiful country with even more beautiful people. There is so much need - the need for food, adequate shelter and the great need for wheelchairs. From children suffering the effects of Agent Orange, to elderly men and women who are no longer mobile, those in need of a chair are waiting. They cannot afford to buy a wheelchair, so they wait. By God's grace, we are able to help them in this way.

I spoke with several women about my own age (26), who told me that they lost the use of their legs when they got a fever as a child. They are so happy with their new wheelchair. They keep patting my hands and kissing my cheek. Except for the language barrier, they are just like my friends in America. The joy written on the faces of those who receive the wheelchairs speak more loudly than any language can convey. The joy on the faces of the caregivers speak just loudly.

We traveled far to the south in the Mekong Delta about 30 miles from the Cambodian border. The landscape is cut by rivers every few hundred feet and boat is the main form of transportation. The bus had to drive aboard a barge to cross the river at its widest point. There are so many people traveling by motorbike cris-crossing the small lanes. Many live in very remote areas only accessible by boat.

Our distribution partners are truly amazing people. Without their hard work and dedication, the wheelchairs could not reach their intended destination.

Those of us who have much should take the opportunity to help those who have little.

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

FWM Friends Send Hearts Around the World!

Recently, we enjoyed sending out our first ever "Hearts Around the World" Valentine celebration - our hope was to provide a sweet opportunity to send a personal message of love and encouragement directly into the hands of a wheelchair recipient. The outreach was a great success! We have now received a full "container" of Valentines, that's 550 hearts full of love, tallied up and ready to go.

Classroom and Sunday school groups had great fun with the project! Here are some photos from Shorelife Church of Huntington Beach, California. Organizers incorporated it into their Valentine's Day Bonanza, with the children decorating cards and signing them for wheelchair recipients.

Emily Barr, Shorelife's children's director, said, "We had 28 children and 16 volunteers and the kids just had a blast! We combined the Valentines with cookie decorating, crafts, games and a fun little devotional. They had a fun time decorating the cards with stickers and rhinestones and signing their names. We would definitely do this again!"

Thanks to all of you that participated in the Free Wheelchair Mission "Hearts Around the World" Valentine celebration. Because of your support and encouragement, over 500 future wheelchair recipients will be gifted with the warmth of a personalized note, and reminded that somebody cares!

Being on the other side of the world

Being on the other side of the world is showing me many things but one seems more basic than any other: Life is in the small moments. There are the huge moments in life - graduation, birth of a child - but it is the mosaic of all the small moments, going to the park or tending a vegetable garden, that truly make up our lives.

We gave away 100 chairs at a school for students with disabilities in Nha Trang.

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan is 16 years old though he looks about 6. His grandmother Hong tells us that he has a birth defect. Hong and her daugther-in-law brought Loan to receive a free wheelchair today. She says that she is very happy. Now that she has the wheelchair, she will no longer have to carry him. She was getting worried because he is getting heavy. Now she says that they can push him to the park every afternoon in his new wheelchair.

Van Hoa is 33 years old. he cam to the distribution by himself on the back of a motorbike taxi. His family lives far away and was not at the ceremony. He said that he is very happy to get a wheelchair. I was able to share with him that this wheel chair is a gift from God. Please pray for Van Hoa, that he will truly know that God loves him.

This gentleman lost his leg from a bomb during the war. He told me that this wheelchair is the first gift he has received in 30 years. He loves to work in his garden and makes his living selling its vegetables. Now, he said he will have a much easier time tending his garden and will sell more vegetables.

The work of FWM allows people to experience all the small moments.

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

Staff member joins group distributing wheelchairs in Vietnam

March 4, 2010

Hooray - finally here! Vu and several of his students met me at the airport this afternoon. It is very warm but there is a nice cool breeze too. Checked in at the hotel and then headed over to the Night Market with Vu and a student for dinner (Vietnamese spring rolls - great recommendation, Michael!). The rest of the team arrives at 10:30 so I will meet them in the morning.

We're heading to Nha Trang tomorrow to give away 100 chairs - my first actual distribution!

I am so stoked!

Ash (Ashley Herron - FWM Events Coordinator)

-------------------------------------------------

March 5, 2010

Traveling is always an adventure. Traveling for FWM is the adventure of a lifetime. It is a privilege to go to the other side of the world to serve those in need. But most of all it's a privilege to get to know people - the people of Vietnam, our partners, the team from WV, and ultimately the recipients of the chairs themselves.

On my first flight, I met a gentleman who had never heard about FWM, but by the time our flight was done, he was inspired to learn that only $59.20 provides a wheelchair and transforms a life. Meeting our partner Vu and his students was an unqualified blessing. I am beyond thrilled to get to know them this week. Their excitement to serve is infectious.

We are all a part of this journey no matter what part it is we play.

Ash

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

Earthquake Devastates Chile

As you have heard, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country of Chile early Saturday morning. Free Wheelchair Mission has been active in the region for many years - just this week we spotlighted Stephen and Grace Colon, our dear friends and distribution partners in Santiago, in the Friday Story (to read, please click here). We have talked to Stephen and Grace and they and their staff are safe. The country is paralyzed at the moment. There is no power and no water. Please keep them in your prayers, all Chile in your prayers. They will need even more of everything we can provide for them, including wheelchairs. Free Wheelchair Mission will be actively assessing how we can continue to serve the people of Chile during this trying time and will keep you informed.

God Bless, Don

Slideshow of recent trip to Chile

The Need Continues in Haiti - What we are doing

1.  Two containers are being readied for Global Missions, our partner in Port-au-Prince. 

2.  Our partner in the Dominican Republic, Fundacion Romanese, distributed 100 wheelchairs into Haiti within days of the quake.  Check out the blog to learn more at www.freewheelchairmission.org/blog.  Routing wheelchair through the DR has been quick and efficient and FWM continues to support Haiti’s island neighbors with two more containers on the way.

3.  Direct Relief International included 200 wheelchairs with a shipment of medical relief.

4.  Operation Blessing International requested and will receive one container.

5.  Christian Aid Ministries requested to import a container into their U.S. warehouse, to be included in upcoming weeks with relief teams into the region.

6.  Caribbean Medical Transport has requested for a container – while details are being determined, more containers are on order that will be available for immediate assignment for Haiti.

7.  FWM is organizing a mission team for mid-April to assist Fundacion Romanese.

8.  Giving Children Hope will receive 100 wheelchairs from our U.S. warehouse to join a container planned for early March.

What a weekend - what a day!

This year’s Run for Mobility was an unforgettable event, not only for participants, volunteers and staff that braved the inclement weather – but for the over 3,000 people living with a disability that will now be provided with a brand new wheelchair! R4M fundraisers worked above and beyond, bringing in over $200,000 for wheelchair relief and raising awareness of disability issues around the globe.

Rain showers were the order of the day Friday and Saturday, but the enthusiasm of the Surf City USA ® Marathon could not be washed away and it was business as usual for the thousands of runners showing up to pick up their packets and enjoy the expo. Saturday night featured camaraderie and connection at the highly anticipated Fundraiser Appreciation Dinner event – held this year at the Huntington Beach Public Library, the evening featured good company, delicious food, and a chance to celebrate mobility.

And when Sunday morning dawn bright and early, the participants were rewarded with blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and a perfect course! The 26.2 milers were the first to go with a 6:30 starting time, followed by the 5K at 6:50 and the half at 7:45. Saving the best for last, the Kids Run kicked off at 8:45 to great excitement. It was another superb event for the Surf City USA ® Marathon, enjoying a record 20,200 runners from all 50 states and eight countries...and a crowd of over 40,000 cheering them on. For full results, visit www.runraceresults.com and click on Surf City USA Marathon. Additional marathon information can be found at http://www.runsurfcity.com/.

Free Wheelchair Mission enjoyed the chance to congratulate the runners after they came across the finish line and to thank their fundraisers for all their hard work and dedication to the cause.

To all that ran, walked, rolled, and fundraised...thank you again for a very successful Run for Mobility 2010! (To see more photos from this year’s event or to find out about fundraising through R4M in 2011, go to the FWM home page and click on Run for Mobility.)

More wheelchairs sighted amongst the devastation

First photos since January’s earthquake have finally reached FWM – from Eddie, our partner in the Dominican Republic, came these posted images of the devastation, and of the wheelchair sightings.

We will continue to update you with photos and stories as relief flows into the region – need for wheelchairs and all medical intervention will remain a predominant call for action in months and years to come in the wake of this humanitarian crisis.

Wheelchairs Roll In from the Dominican Republic

Eddie is a Free Wheelchair Mission partner in the Dominican Republic with Fundación Universitaria Romanense.

We just came back from Haiti a few hours ago. The situation overthere is really chaotic; it may take years for things to get back to a livable state of being; provided of course that Haiti gets real support from the international community to rebuild Port of Prince.

We took one hundred wheelchairs with us, and distributed them all. Some went directly to individuals in need and the balance to a couple of institutions and then on to the wounded.

Yes, as far as sending some containers that we can forward to Haiti, definitely, and I believe we have to do it as soon as we can.

God blesses you every second!
Eddie

Wheelchairs Rolling in Haiti

We all know the ancient Chinese proverb, that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” When overwhelmed with a seemingly dauntless task ahead, this calming bit of wisdom reminds us to set our course, lean into the wind, and step out in faith.

This week, first photos from the field arrived, encouragement from friends of Free Wheelchair Mission, images of wheelchairs on the move, bringing some small relief to those who have suffered so much.

To date, approximately 100 wheelchairs have already been distributed. Another 200 wheelchairs are en route, via Direct Relief International, slated to arrive in country soon. Two full containers will soon leave Shanghai for the Dominican Republic, where they will be unloaded and trucked over the border and into Haiti. And, three of our current distribution partners are arranging logistics for more containers to be delivered to this hurting island nation.

It is not enough. But it is a start.

The first step is always the hardest. And so, we do today what ancient wisdom would prescribe. Set a course. Lean into the wind. Step out in faith.

Pray for Haiti.

One container arrived in Vietnam

During this past week a container of 550 wheelchairs was delivered in Viet Nam. To date 51,150 wheelchairs have been distributed by our partners in this friendly country.

From Viet Nam

Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act

Thanks to you, over $89,000 has been raised to date for emergency wheelchair relief to Haiti! And, thanks to the folks on Capitol Hill, a piece of tax deduction legislation has been passed by both houses of Congress to allow Americans to deduct their charitable donations to Haiti relief from their 2009 tax returns.* Now, every donation to Haiti through 2/28/10 can be claimed for 2009, giving Americans even more encouragement to give generously in the face of this humanitarian crisis.

*To learn more about the Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act, go to http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-21/early-tax-deduction-for-haiti-relief-passes-congress-update3-.html.

Relief is continuing to flood into Haiti

Much has happened at FWM in the last two weeks. In addition to the dollars pouring in for the people of Haiti, earlier this week, volunteers and staff prepped and palletized 200 wheelchairs to be delivered from our southern California warehouse to our partner, Direct Relief International, for an upcoming air shipment into Port-au-Prince. Many thanks to transport companies CMI and MOL for providing free trucking to DRI’s headquarters in Santa Barbara. In addition, our manufacturing partner in China has donated an entire container of wheelchairs for Haiti relief. We thank them for their generosity!

Although much has been done to help the people of Haiti, far more remains to be accomplished. Sadly, with the numerous crush injuries and amputations evident as a result of this earthquake, the on-going need for a significant number of wheelchairs can not be emphasized strongly enough. FWM is committed to increasing the scheduled import of containers into Port-au-Prince. In addition to DRI, we are working to collaborate further with international partners Operation Blessing International and Samaritan’s Purse. We continue to support Fundación Universitaria Romanense, our partner in the Dominican Republic, as well as our friends at Global Missions, FWM's distribution partner in Port-au-Prince.

This process of wheelchair relief will be on-going and dynamic as we adjust to an ever-changing environment and accommodate the challenges surely waiting beyond the horizon; as a supporter of FWM, you should know that our organization is committed to long-term aid as we join the worldwide philanthropic community rallying around the people of Haiti.