American Wheelchair Mission — A Global Wheelchair Mission Partner — Changing Lives Through Mobility
The American Wheelchair Mission is a non-profit organization with a goal to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs and mobility aids to physically disabled children, teens and adults throughout the world who are without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair. With a strong focus on the needs of Children in Latin America, the American Wheelchair Mission will continue to change the lives of entire families with the gifts of hope, dignity, freedom and independence.
Your participation can make the dreams of children come true!
During this morning’s mass at 10:45am, the choir sang with more animation, almost as if they were uplifted in spirit. They used to sing with seriousness and in depressing tones when the choir master was still alive. During the funeral mass of the choir master long ago, I noticed the narrow facial bones and sharp jawlines when l shook the hands of the daughter and mother.
Anyway, instead of the dark-skinned, very short Filipino priest saying the sermon, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus was invited to speak about their mission — wheelchairs. There was a yellow-colored wheelchair in front of the alter.
He showed us a video of some parishioners from Laredo, Texas receiving their wheelchairs. Normally, I would keep my cool. But because today I had my PMS, I shed some tears when I saw how a young boy lost his legs to infection and other elderly residents got their wheelchairs.
I was truly moved by the short video and for a tax-deductible $25.00 donation, I would get a pin! I showed my $20 and $5 bills in cash to Maw but she suggested a different amount. I noticed most parishioners were mostly Asians and not interested. I was disheartened to see not many participated by placing their hard-earned money in to the “second collection” baskets but I did see an elderly couple pull a few envelopes from the pew. The website of the organization was imprinted on the envelop and perhaps they would donate later online.
Here is an image of my new pin:
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Of course, Maw and Paw were not interested but we did notice how lots of groups seem to be “infiltrating” our parish for “good causes”. I was told over ten slong years ago to be careful about charitable organizations. At this point, I felt that the “fellow brothers” were doing honest work. And if I find out they are pocketing the peoples’ money, so help me God!
After their mission work here at our parish, the “fellow brothers” will go to Vietnam and then to the Philippines. Oh, that’s nice.
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