Erie, PA – December 8 –   “To provide the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countries."  That is the mission of the Free Wheelchair Mission and a goal for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) student organization, LECOM CARES.

 LECOM CARES will host a Fundraiser Dinner at the Bel-Aire Hotel at 6 pm on Thursday, December 8.  Special Guest, Don Schoendorfer, Ph.D., the President and Founder of the Free Wheelchair Mission will describe his invention and explain his plans to give away twenty million chairs free by 2010.  Reader’s Digest and People Magazine have featured Dr. Schoendorfer and the Free Wheelchair Mission.

In 1999, Dr. Schoendorfer, using his engineering expertise, constructed a wheelchair that could be inexpensively made and shipped to the disabled poor in developing countries. The simple design is made from lawn chairs and bicycle tires which create a wheelchair rugged enough to endure the dirt roads and rough terrain.  These wheelchairs cost just $41.17 each, but are priceless to the people who receive them.  Today, the project has grown to become the worldwide Free Wheelchair Mission.

During the LECOM Cares fundraiser they raised over $25,000, enough for 619 wheelchairs.

L to R: Shazia Alam, Charity Hamilton, Kelley Anderson, Don Schoendorfer, Chad Maron, John Gentile, Carly Drayfus, Sam Urick, and Adnan Subei.

FWM thanks you all so much for sponsoring this fundraiser on our behalf.
You have helped to bring dignity and mobility to some of the poorest of the poor in this world.
It couldn't be done without generous people like you!
~ Free Wheelchair Mission 12/15/2005