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ROTARY PROJECT GENERATES $25,000 FOR WHEELCHAIRS
On Wednesday, 3/8/06, the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield presented a check in the amount of $25,000 to Dr. Don Schoendorfer, founder of the “Free Wheelchair Mission” headquartered in California at a presentation ceremony in Ashtabula. Dr. Schoendorfer and his staff are involved in manufacturing and supplying low cost but durable wheelchairs to the needy throughout the world. Dr. Schoendorfer spoke at a previous ceremony in November; also held in Ashtabula; where a community group of 26 churches worked together to raise $250,000 to donate to the Wheelchair Mission. In attendance at the November presentation were Robert Johnson and James Eldridge of the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield. Mr. Johnson is the chairman of the International Field of Service for the club and Mr. Eldridge is the club secretary and the acting secretary/treasurer for their wheelchair project. Rotary is a worldwide service organization of men & women that work to do both community and international service projects for the needy and less fortunate here and around the world. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Eldridge, who were joined by Rotary Club president Charles White, decided that the wheelchair project was a perfect match for their International Field of Service project for this year. Last year the club raised $60,000 to purchase and supply Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AED’s) to all law enforcement vehicles in Geauga County; 33 in all at a cost of $1800.00 each. This year, what started as a $3000 proposal to buy a few wheelchairs quickly grew to $25,000 with the enthusiastic support of the entire club. The Burton Middlefield club has for many years supported projects in countries worldwide, including a small clinic and pharmacy in the African country of Ghana. This is where White, Johnson and Eldridge felt their club’s donation of 550 wheelchairs would have the most impact. To date, The Free Wheelchair Mission has supplied 6000 chairs to Ghana, but Dr. Schoendorfer pointed out that there is a projected need for over 400,000 in Ghana alone. Obviously, a great deal remains to be done, but Johnson and Eldridge both feel that the project could possibly grow into an ongoing effort. Johnson stated, “Our entire club of 55 members has worked very hard to raise the $25,000 in about four months time. We are very proud of our club’s past international projects; of this wheelchair project and the opportunity to serve worldwide needs such as this in the future.” This was obviously a complete team effort and Johnson also pointed out that the Berkshire High School Interact Club, which is a Rotary, sponsored student community service club and their advisor, teacher Kelly Timmons, was also instrumental in raising a portion of the funds through fundraisers and club activities. The low cost but durable chairs are manufactured in China for a cost of $45.00 each, which includes shipping and assembly. Anyone wishing to help the Burton-Middlefield Rotary project and the Free Wheelchair Mission can go to the club’s website at www.rotaryclubofburtonmiddlefield.com. For information on the club’s projects or send a tax-deductible donation of $45.00 for a chair (or multiples of $45. for more than one) can be made to “The BMR Foundation” at P.O. Box 516, Burton, OH 44021. Mr. White, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Eldridge, on behalf of the entire Rotary Club of Burton Middlefield, wish to thank Dr. Schoendorfer, Glen Warner and Robert Halder for their help and cooperation in making this project a success.
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