November 2003

GREETINGS FROM THE FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION

For us who have moved so far in faith, it seems almost like a miracle that we will finish this year within reach of our dreams. The doors God has opened are awesome, and as we run this race we see thousands, no longer on the ground, but sitting erect in wheelchairs and hearts full of joy, hope and thankfulness to you, their supporters. We owe this to you, our supporters, for all the many ways you help us.

Our final push this year is our 10,000 for Christmas – 2003 campaign. We will provide 10,000 wheelchairs as Christmas presents.

With great faith in you, we put this campaign in motion by ordering 10,000 wheelchairs in September. Right now the factory in China is putting out a container of 550 wheelchairs every two days. 1100 wheelchairs are on the way to Iraq, and 1100 on the way to Afghanistan. Other containers are going to Fiji, China, Mexico, Peru, India, Romania, Congo (DRC), and Rwanda. Three containers are going to partner organizations that will portion the wheelchair to multiple countries.

It is now our challenge to pay for these wheelchairs. For this we must rely once more on your generosity. We have three options of participation to offer you. The first option is for a donation of $1000 or more. For this contribution we will send you a Christmas package. It will contain a video that highlights the joy we see in providing these wheelchairs to the poor this Christmas. The video will have stories and testimonies from all around the world. We will include a map of the world so you can follow along with the video, and a photo album. The package will include mementos from many of the countries we serve. We aim to get this package to you by Christmas day.

The second option of participation is with our Christmas cards. Last year they were a great success. We offer two new designs this year. You donate a wheelchair in someone’s name. You get a card you can send to that person or family, and with the donation, we deliver one more wheelchair. The donation is $41.17 per card what is costs us to provide one wheelchair. .

The third option of participation is with any level of donation, and these donations are always welcome.

As it is said, the biggest gift is to give. We want you to receive that gift. Whether you donated one wheelchair or a full container, we want you to know that in this holiday season you helped give 10,000 people the gift of mobility and dignity, and a chance for a better life.

Here are some highlights since our last newsletter in October:.

We are very excited about our new distribution channels to Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leon and Liberia. People in these countries have suffered so much so long, and we are pleased to be able to do our part to help heal their wounds.

Our "Friday Wheelchair Story" circulation grows each week. We receive wonderful stories of life change almost every day. We pick the best to share with you once a week. If you do not receive this, and you would like to, please tell me so and give me your email address.

Three of us just returned from Peru. We sent wheelchairs to the Camino de Vida, a large church in Lima. They sent the wheelchairs to eleven different regions of Peru. They partnered with local governments to identify recipients and distribute the wheelchairs. I could write for a week about the life-changing stories we witnessed. I have room for just one.

We are very excited about our new distribution channels to Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leon and Liberia. People in these countries have suffered so much so long, and we are pleased to be able to do our part to help heal their wounds.

Our partners and we have provided over 13,000 wheelchairs since we started. We have wheelchairs in 33 countries. Our goal is to provide 25,000 this year.

With great confidence and great faith, we restate our goal - TO PROVIDE 20 MILLION WHEELCHAIRS TO THE POOR THIS DECADE.

Campaign
We have a goal for the rest of this year. We want to provide 10,000 wheelchairs as Christmas presents. That is 18 containers, or $411,700. We want to give you as donors a most fabulous feeling on December 25, 2003 that you helped give mobility, dignity and a chance for a better life to 10,000 people for Christmas. I will send you more details on this campaign in the coming weeks.

Your gifts and prayers are needed now. Help us to maintain our growth and our commitment to provide mobility to the poorest of the poor. Please invite your family and friends to join you in praying and giving.
- $41.17 places 1 wheelchair
- $411.70 places 10 wheelchairs
- $4,117.00 places 100 wheelchairs
- $22,643.50 places 550 wheelchairs - a complete container
Free Wheelchair Mission has IRS tax-exempt status.

Thank you in advance for whatever you can give.

God bless,
Don Schoendorfer
President - Free Wheelchair Mission
1842 Whitestone Terrace
Santa Ana, CA 92705
www.freewheelchairmission.org