Bill Weber, Chairman
(214) 405-8023 or yankeesweb@tx.rr.com
Brian Nelson, Assistant Chairman
(210) 275-7921 or abn091951@gmail.com
The Knights of Columbus, in partnership with the American Wheelchair Mission, raise funds to support the purchase of wheelchairs for distribution worldwide. Many have been distributed in the USA. It is estimated that over 100 million people worldwide need a wheelchair and cannot afford one. It is also estimated that each wheelchair delivered changes and improves an average of 10 lives. Our Worthy State Deputy has continued to set a goal for each Council to donate at least $150 for the purchase of one wheelchair. To achieve this objective the Council’s budget should reflect this amount as a line item. The Grand Knight should regularly include the wheelchair ministry on the agenda of the monthly Council meeting.
Make checks payable to the American Wheelchair Mission and mail to: American Wheelchair Mission, Attn: Dan Moberg, 2600 E. Seltice Way, Suite A172, Post Falls, ID 83854-7991. Please do not mail checks to anyone else. To donate online, visit amwheelchair.org/donate and select “Knights of Columbus” in the Campaign field and enter your Council Number in the Organization/Council field.
The most effective way to raise funds for this program is to conduct a weekend parish wide fundraiser called Wheelchair Sunday. This gives parishioners an opportunity to join in this ministry and is very easy to conduct.
Preparing for a Wheelchair Sunday:
- Get approval from your Pastor to hold a Wheelchair Sunday and to read a 2–3-minute pulpit talk and/or show a video at all the Masses. If you don’t get approval from your Pastor for a pulpit talk or video, you can still hold a Wheelchair Sunday.
- Once approved, schedule 1 or 2 weekends for your Wheelchair Sunday that doesn’t compete with other parish fundraisers.
- Obtain a sample pulpit talk and donation envelopes, or forms, from the Wheelchair Chairman or Assistant Chairman.
- Advertise up to 6 weeks in advance in all possible parish media and include instructions on how to donate online.
- Obtain needed materials and supplies such as a display wheelchair, Certificate of Thanks, donation envelopes, newsletters, DVDs, pins, display board, pens, clipboards, baskets and possibly Our Lady of Guadalupe lithographs. If you don’t have lithographs available to give to donors of $500 or more, a lithograph can be shipped to them. All these materials and supplies can be brought by us, if we are available to be there to help.
Conducting a Wheelchair Sunday:
- Setup at least 1 table in the narthex or outside, depending on space and what your Pastor will allow.
- Read 2–3-minute pulpit talk and/or show a video at all the Masses.
- After each Mass: make sure all the exits are covered, collect cash/check donations in baskets and hand out donation envelopes.
- Checks must be made payable to American Wheelchair Mission.
- Parishioners should fill out a donation envelope if: requesting a Certificate of Thanks ($150 or more donation), requesting an Our Lady of Guadalupe lithograph ($500 or more donation) or using a credit card.
- Credit card readers are available where the funds go directly to the American Wheelchair Mission.
- If a lithograph is given out, please write “Took OLG” on the donation envelope. One lithograph per donor.
Tasks after Wheelchair Sunday
- For loose cash, your Council will write a check for the total amount.
- For cash in donation envelopes, be sure to write “Cash” at top of each envelope and write a personal check for the total amount or include this amount in the Council check.
- Mail all checks and envelopes to American Wheelchair Mission, Attn: Dan Moberg, 2600 East Seltice Way, Suite A172, Post Falls, ID 83854-7991 via FedEx. We can give you a FedEx Number to use.
Wheelchairs are shipped in small and large containers. The small container costs $16,500 and contains 110 wheelchairs and the large container costs $42,000 and contains 280 wheelchairs. Only large containers are shipped to other countries. All arrangements for procurement and shipment of containers are managed by the American Wheelchair Mission.
An organization raising funds sufficient to fill either a small or large container may designate the location for distribution. Volunteers wishing to assist in a distribution may do so at their own expense.
Holding a Wheelchair Sunday will not only raise funds but will also present an opportunity to recruit new members. Emphasize that Charity is being demonstrated as the first principle of our Order. If it is not possible to conduct a Wheelchair Sunday, then Grand Knights should direct efforts to assure that their Council donates at least $150 for one wheelchair.
“CHANGING LIVES THROUGH MOBILITY”