The Global Wheelchair Mission

The Global Wheelchair Mission Overview Action Steps Support Materials Knights Distribute Wheelchairs to Veterans Wheelchairs Make the World Go Round

The Knights of Columbus and the The Global Wheelchair Mission have teamed up to help bring wheelchairs to those who lack freedom of mobility.

The Knights of Columbus and the The Global Wheelchair Mission have teamed up to help bring wheelchairs to those who lack freedom of mobility.

The Global Wheelchair Mission purchases wheelchairs in bulk and delivers them by sea containers around the world. They are distributed with the help of numerous non-governmental organizations, Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, and now the Knights of Columbus.

In 2003, the Knights of Columbus began participating in the Global Wheelchair Mission and sponsored 2,000 wheelchairs to be distributed in Afghanistan. Since then, Knights in the U.S. and Canada have sponsored the distribution of some 20,000 wheelchairs in Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, the United States and Viet Nam.

For every donation of $150 received by the Global Wheelchair Mission, it can deliver a brand new wheelchair which would cost over $500 in a medical supply store.  They are shipped by 100 to 280 wheelchair containers directly from the factory to the destination countries at no cost to the recipients.

Councils, assemblies, and circles are encouraged to promote this program to their membership, inviting personal consideration, as well as implementing this as an ongoing charitable event.

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Help us improve the Service Program activities offered by the Supreme Council office by sending reports on your council’s successful activities and/or any suggestions you may have on improving our programs. Send this information to Fraternal Services, Service Program Suggestions, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 or e-mail fraternalservices@kofc.org. Please include “Service Program Suggestions” in the e-mail’s subject line.