The athletic training program at Hope College is collecting used wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other such ambulatory and rehabilitation aids on behalf of "Wheels for the World."
"Wheels for the World" collects and refurbishes such devices and sends them abroad with volunteers who deliver them to people with disabilities. The objective of "Wheels for the World" is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the disabled all around the world.
The local drive will take place from Saturday, Jan. 31, through Saturday, Feb. 28. Those with items to contribute may deliver them on Fridays between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to the Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse athletic training room. Pickups may also be arranged. Additional information may be obtained by emailing hopeembraces@gmail.com or calling (217) 714-4515.
The fieldhouse is located at 222 Fairbanks Ave., between Fairbanks and Lincoln avenues and Ninth and 11th streets. The athletic training room is on the lower level of the west (Lincoln Avenue) side of the fieldhouse.
"Wheels for the World" is a subsection of "Joni and Friends," which provides ministry outreach programs to people with disabilities and their families. "Joni and Friends" was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada. At the age of 17, Joni was in a diving accident which left her a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. She has since become a leading disability advocate as well as an author and artist.