MADISON — The handicapped and disabled, like many individuals, are experiencing the struggles of the current economic decline. This situation has resulted in the Apostolate to the Handicapped receiving a dramatic increase in requests for wheelchairs and walkers.
In order to accommodate the increased requests, the apostolate will have to purchase 20 wheelchairs and 10 walkers, especially larger chairs and walkers to assist individuals in need of such larger mobility assistance.
Donor options
In response to this need of the apostolate, the Sir Knights of the Bishop William P. O’Connor Fourth Degree Assembly 1200 of the Knights of Columbus have once again stepped up to sponsor a fundraising program to raise the money needed to purchase the needed new wheelchairs and walkers.
This is the fourth time the Sir Knights have engaged in a fundraising program on behalf of the apostolate, having in the past raised funds to purchase over 60 wheelchairs.
Individuals wishing to make a general financial donation towards the cost of the wheelchairs and walkers can do so by sending a check payable to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, the check noted “Wheelchair and Walker Fund.”
Individuals who want to donate a wheelchair ($380 per 18″ and 20″ chairs, $900 per 22″ chair) or walker ($135 per walker) can send a check payable to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, noted “Wheelchair and Walker Fund Donor” and each chair will bear the name of the individual or organization making the donation.
As in the past, individuals can cover the cost of a wheelchair, and now walkers, as memorials for a friend or family member (cost per wheelchair and walker the same as “donor” donations). Each wheelchair or walker will bear the name of the donor and who it is donated in memory of; checks should be noted “Wheelchair and Walker Fund Donor Memorial.” Donations should be sent to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, P.O. Box 443, Monroe, WI 53566.
The apostolate is a 501-C3 non-profit organization. Individuals or organizations interested in making a donation towards or purchasing a wheelchair or walker with a matching corporate donation should contact the apostolate office in Monroe for the form for this purpose by calling 608-328-8371.
Provided at no cost
At the present time there are over 500 wheelchairs and many walkers provided to handicapped and disabled individuals throughout the Diocese of Madison, at no cost to the individuals, with the only stipulation that when they are no longer needed, they be returned for use by others in such need.
Commenting on the Knights once again stepping up to assist the apostolate, director Msgr. Thomas F. Campion stated, “The apostolate and I are grateful to the Bishop William P. O’Connor Sir Knights for supporting this fundraising endeavor for new wheelchairs and walkers on behalf of the apostolate and I am personally most appreciative of their long-standing loyalty to the apostolate and the individuals it serves.”