| Are you looking to help FWM grow and aren't sure how you can help? Read about
Sue Donnelly and how she is involved.
|
Sue is a Physical Therapist in Boston who read about FWM in the In Motion
magazine. In her words: "A wheelchair, while traditionally a symbol of disability and limitations, is an invaluable tool of hope and possibility. I have often dreamed about starting an organization that would provide free wheelchairs to poor and disabled people, so when I read about FWM I was thrilled! I couldn't get to the FWM website fast enough."
Susan began to think of every single personal purchase as the number of wheelchairs it translated to, and she developed a plan she called "Free Wheelchair Mission Fever" to begin fundraising for some of the "most
invisible and neglected humans in this world."
With
the goal of introducing friends and family to FWM and having fun doing so, Susan
and her husband a scheduled a fundraising party at the Bell in Hand Tavern on
May 27, 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts. They charged a $20 donation and had live
music, a Free Wheelchair on display, had Red Sox tickets raffled off, and also
had a small silent auction, in a low key and very casual atmosphere. Don and
Laurie Schoendorfer were able to join the party from California and Don did a
compelling PowerPoint presentation and the FWM videos were run on the bar's TV.
While the attendees had great fun, $4300 was raised and that translates to about
104 wheelchairs being funded. The Donnellys were thrilled by how excited potential
donors were-the program sells itself once people are introduced.
The Donnellys have many fundraising ideas to fund
an entire container of about 550 chairs, for example; forming a road racing
team to seek pledges and donations for running the Boston Half Marathon
in October; seeking charity status for FWM with the Boston Athletic Association
so a team can participate in the Boston Marathon of April 2005; and pursuing
projects for the holiday season and to get exposure at holiday fairs.
They're going to do another "Roll Out" dinner in the Boston area focused
on wheelchair vendors and rehabilitation personnel in the community, and
they're also working within their church denomination to get FWM on the
missions radar screen within the congregations; they'll be available to
make presentations or supply informational materials at churches.
Susan tells of how blessed she feels to be involved
and every one of us on the board and volunteer team feel the same
feelings intensely. We're sharing Susan's
story because her ideas may help you implement a campaign within your own
circle and then spread that effort to a broader base. Every donor potentially
links
us to another donor to the benefit of the countless "invisible and neglected
disabled around the world." We honor Susan and her husband and team members. |
Running for Wheelchairs!
"TEAM WHEELCHAIR"
Boston Half Marathon, October 10, 2004
You Can Host Your Own Dinner!Contact us and we'll set you up with everything you need to host your own
dinner. Once we confirm your interest and the number of attendees, we'll
send you the items below at no charge. You need to be serious and you need to
have a specific fund raising goal. This is a commitment that comes easily and
this will be an evening none of you will quickly forget.
FWM has been hosting these dinners in our own local area for the last two
years and they are a great way to involve new people and increase awareness.
-
An actual FWM Wheelchair
for demonstration (we want it back!)
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Brochures
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Publicity Kits
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Videos in VHS or mini CD
format
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Our Power Point Presentation
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A step by step suggested
list of how to run the dinner
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Photo albums
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Posters to put around the
room
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Copies of the Wild at Heart
and Halftime Books
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Trifold Brochures
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Remit envelopes for donations
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Small cards that can be
handed out to friends
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