Wheels of Freedom Project
Donation protected
On July 13, 2015, I purchased an existing AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care business in Prescott Valley AZ. While I was cleaning up the facility and getting it ready to re-open, I noticed a old powered wheelchair in the back of the building covered with debris. I dug it out, and soon realized that this was not old at all. It was in very poor shape and needed some work in order to operate. I wrote down the serial number and began a Google search. It turned out that this chair was valued around $7,500 brand new. I knew then what I had to do.
Since I own a repair shop, I was able to have my technicians dismantle the chair and put together a parts list. After a little internet shopping, I found all of the needed replacement parts online. Once the chair was completely refurbished, I started out on my search for a qualified recipient. This wasn't as easy as it sounds. I knew that whoever received this chair must be truly in need. I didn't want to make a mistake and give it to someone who could have afforded one already, or would end up selling it for drugs or a flat screen TV.
I reached out to some local Churches in the area and a few customers, asking if they knew of a Veteran who needed a device like this. Months went by with no candidates. Then fate stepped in my store. Larry Jacobs & Larry Gray who are both Veterans & volunteers for a Military Outreach program called the "Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve" (ESGR). These two men were very engaged with local Veteran Groups and the Prescott Veterans Administration. They heard about my support and charity fundraising with local Veteran organizations and wanted to present me with a support pledge signed by the Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter.
I told Larry & Larry about the chair and how I wanted to find the right candidate. They both agreed to help me with the search. A few weeks later, they introduced me to Robert Martens, an Army Veteran, who has been on a kidney and pancreas transplant list for two years and has trouble walking for more than a few feet. In most cases, the VA and private insurance companies only provide manual wheelchairs for people with walking issues. This only allows a person to move around a little at home, but nowhere else. The Powered Wheelchair allows the freedom to get out of the house, visit friends, go shopping with the family, go to parks, and so on.
On February 28, 2016 we presented the chair to Mr. Martens. This was such a moving experience that I think most of us cried a little or a lot. We completely changed his life. He is now FREE to get out of the house and feel normal again. A lot of probably don't realize how depressing it would be to be stuck in your home, only getting out for doctor appointments.
The very next morning, I was driving to AAMCO, and all I could think about is Robert Martens and his family, and what they were going to do today, where were they going to go? Anywhere they wanted I thought. I then realized that I need to find another chair and do this again.
Finding people to donate a powered wheelchair and then finding a qualified candidate may take months, so I decided that I need to fast track the process in order to reach everybody who needs this service. This is where the "Wheels of Freedom Project" was born. I would start a not for profit charity that would engage with community leaders and local press in order to get the word out. I started a Facebook page (Wheels of Freedom Project) and created a website (www.wheelsoffreedomproject.org). On the second day the Facebook page was up, we noticed that we had over 8,600 people engaging. This was going to be big. We now are receiving donations of powered wheelchairs and our application to receive a powered wheelchair is available on our website.
We are raising money in order to complete our not for profit applications with the IRS and the State of Arizona. This process is very costly and time consuming. A not for profit group will be a corporation with at least 3 directors. the cost for this will range from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on how long the IRS's approval process will take.
We are moving fast on this in order to enhance the lives of so many Veterans who have disabilities in the area. Your quick action will be greatly appreciated, not just by me but the hundreds and Veterans and their families that deserve to have the same freedom the rest of us do.
Since I own a repair shop, I was able to have my technicians dismantle the chair and put together a parts list. After a little internet shopping, I found all of the needed replacement parts online. Once the chair was completely refurbished, I started out on my search for a qualified recipient. This wasn't as easy as it sounds. I knew that whoever received this chair must be truly in need. I didn't want to make a mistake and give it to someone who could have afforded one already, or would end up selling it for drugs or a flat screen TV.
I reached out to some local Churches in the area and a few customers, asking if they knew of a Veteran who needed a device like this. Months went by with no candidates. Then fate stepped in my store. Larry Jacobs & Larry Gray who are both Veterans & volunteers for a Military Outreach program called the "Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve" (ESGR). These two men were very engaged with local Veteran Groups and the Prescott Veterans Administration. They heard about my support and charity fundraising with local Veteran organizations and wanted to present me with a support pledge signed by the Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter.
I told Larry & Larry about the chair and how I wanted to find the right candidate. They both agreed to help me with the search. A few weeks later, they introduced me to Robert Martens, an Army Veteran, who has been on a kidney and pancreas transplant list for two years and has trouble walking for more than a few feet. In most cases, the VA and private insurance companies only provide manual wheelchairs for people with walking issues. This only allows a person to move around a little at home, but nowhere else. The Powered Wheelchair allows the freedom to get out of the house, visit friends, go shopping with the family, go to parks, and so on.
On February 28, 2016 we presented the chair to Mr. Martens. This was such a moving experience that I think most of us cried a little or a lot. We completely changed his life. He is now FREE to get out of the house and feel normal again. A lot of probably don't realize how depressing it would be to be stuck in your home, only getting out for doctor appointments.
The very next morning, I was driving to AAMCO, and all I could think about is Robert Martens and his family, and what they were going to do today, where were they going to go? Anywhere they wanted I thought. I then realized that I need to find another chair and do this again.
Finding people to donate a powered wheelchair and then finding a qualified candidate may take months, so I decided that I need to fast track the process in order to reach everybody who needs this service. This is where the "Wheels of Freedom Project" was born. I would start a not for profit charity that would engage with community leaders and local press in order to get the word out. I started a Facebook page (Wheels of Freedom Project) and created a website (www.wheelsoffreedomproject.org). On the second day the Facebook page was up, we noticed that we had over 8,600 people engaging. This was going to be big. We now are receiving donations of powered wheelchairs and our application to receive a powered wheelchair is available on our website.
We are raising money in order to complete our not for profit applications with the IRS and the State of Arizona. This process is very costly and time consuming. A not for profit group will be a corporation with at least 3 directors. the cost for this will range from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on how long the IRS's approval process will take.
We are moving fast on this in order to enhance the lives of so many Veterans who have disabilities in the area. Your quick action will be greatly appreciated, not just by me but the hundreds and Veterans and their families that deserve to have the same freedom the rest of us do.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gary Denton
Organizer
Prescott Valley, AZ
Gary Denton
Beneficiary