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