Go, Minnesota

May 2–4

A screening of the documentary, “Because No One Should Have to Crawl” was held at the University of St. Thomas on May 2nd (left). On May 4th, a portion of ticket sales at the Minnesota Vixens women’s football game was donated to provide wheelchairs (right).

Abilities Expo New York

May 3–5

FWM Board of Directors Chair Stuart Rattray (left) and Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives Jennifer Witucki (right) represented Free Wheelchair Mission at the Abilities Expo, which showcases life-enriching products and services for the community of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

On Today

May 3rd

While in New York City for the Abilities Expo (May 3–5), Jennifer Witucki got a shout-out for Free Wheelchair Mission on The Today Show.

Team Mobility Crushes It

May 4–5

Team Mobility, consisting of 45 runners, 49 fundraisers, and 64 volunteers, raised almost $40,000 at the OC Marathon Run for Mobility. As a result, 499 individuals living with a disability will soon receive the gift of a wheelchair.

Partner Training in El Salvador

May 13–17

The FWM medical programs team offered training to distribution partners in El Salvador, with funding by World Vision in compliance with a USAID grant.

Montessori Jogathon

May 17th

At a jogathon in Lake Forest, California, Montessori on the Lake Principal Jules Everest, School Director Therese Barto, and Appletree Montessori Director Lauren Sills helped students raise more than $11,000 to provide 140 wheelchairs.

Vision Trip to Vietnam

May 17–24

A team distributed wheelchairs in rural Thanh Hoa, one of the largest provinces in Vietnam, where the need for wheelchairs is high due to the prevalence of disability in the region.

Inspiring the Next Generation

May 21

Students at Renton Prep Christian School in greater Seattle were eager to learn more about the work of Free Wheelchair Mission from Executive Director Nuka Solomon, who was invited to speak on the importance of giving back to those in need.

Helping Others Rise Up

May 25th

Those in attendance at Rise Up Christian Dance Showcase, an event featuring hundreds of dancers in 12 dance teams, donated or pledged a total of 186 wheelchairs after being challenged to give by event director, Einston Han.

Empowering Possibilities

May 30th

FWM joined seven other Orange County-based nonprofits that serve the disability community for this online, 24-hour, collaborative fundraiser, organized by the Orange County Community Foundation.

Growing Our Reach

May 2019

Free Wheelchair Mission welcomes two new distribution partners serving Haiti and the Middle East. Each organization has the capacity to import and distribute 2–4 containers of wheelchairs annually, and both are staffed with personnel who are trained in wheelchair provision by the World Health Organization.

Wheelchair Arrivals

May 2019

Thanks to your generosity, 12 containers of wheelchairs arrived at port in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, South Africa, Vietnam, and China during the month of May.