Basic Organization Information
FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION
- Also Known As:
-
FWM
- Physical Address:
-
Irvine, CA
92618
- EIN:
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31-1781635
- Web URL:
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www.freewheelchairmi...
- NTEE Category:
-
P Human Services
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P82 Developmentally Disabled Services/Centers
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E Health—General & Rehabilitative
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E60 Health Support Services
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X Religion, Spiritual Development
-
X20 Christian
- Year Founded:
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2001
- Ruling Year:
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2002
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Mission Statement
Freewheelchair Mission is an international, faith-based nonprofit organization dedciated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Working in creative partnership with a network of like-minded, humanitarian groups, FWM has sent over 590,000wheelchairs to over 80 countries around the world, delivering not only the gift of mobility, but one of dignity, independence and hope. Designed to be rugged, durable and inexpensive, the FWM wheelchair costs around $60.00 to manufacture, deliver and distribute - and is provided to the recipient entirely for free. Our mission is to provide the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countires, as motivated by Jesus Christ. Our goal is to provide 20 million wheelchairs.
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Impact Statement
FWM recognizes the link between disability and poverty is a powerful one - specially designed for use in rugged terrain, the FWM wheelchair combines the durability of a resin lawn chair and the strength of a custom steel frame, all tucked into a sturdy pair of mountain bike tires. In the United States, the majority of disabled citizens will find access to a wheelchair and a life of independence. Public and private healthcare, government organizations, charitable groups and a variety of social services provide a safety net that grants coverage for many Americans. However, in developing nations where poverty and economic isolation are the norm, the physically disabled must crawl on the ground or wait to be carried by loved ones to reach their most basic needs. For tens of millions of the impoverished disabled, a wheelchair is a dream far beyond their wildest imagination.
FWM has grown since its beginnings in 2001 to a staff dedicated to raising funds and awareness for free wheelchairs. An academic study conducted in 2009 reviewed FWM's program; findings published in the December 2008 issue of Medical Science Monitor found FWM to have positive results. In 2010 FWM rolled out it's newest model "Gen_2" an adjustable, all-purpose wheelchair designed to accommodate a variety of users, allowing a custom-fit and greater personalization.
Revenue and Expenses
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Financial Statements
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Chief Executive
Dr. Don W. Shoendorfer
Term:
Since
Apr
2001
Chief Executive Profile:
After earning a Ph.D. from M.I.T., Don Schoendofer, Free Wheelchair Mission's founder and President, worked in biomedical engineering. With over 50 patents he made significant discoveries that led to useful products. In late 1979 Don and his wife, Laurie, traveled to Morocco. There he saw a women dragging her body across a dirt road. Though for the next 20 years he continued to pursue material goals, that vision stuck with him. In 1999, he made a commitment to find a solution for the 130 million crippled people around the world. With the first 4 wheelchairs that he made in his garage he went to India in 1999. There he met a young women named Lotus Blossom and gave her a wheelchair - as a gift. She had crawled on the ground for 17 years and now had a wheelchair. In the past year Don has met personally with President Bush and later received the Congressional Medal of Honor Society "Above and Beyond Award". Today Don gives 100% of his time to Free Wheelchair Mission.
CEO/Executive Director Statement:
Story of wheelchair recipient Chan La - by President/Founder Don Schoendorfer: "We met Chan La and her family on a recent distribution trip to Laos. She is 33 years old and severely developmentally disabled. Her diagnosis was unclear, but Dr. Mike Bayer suspected cerebral palsy. Chan La is a happy young woman. Even though I spoke English and she spoke Lao, when I held her hand and our eyes met, we were able to connect. Her smile was communication enough. And when Chan La screamed at her first ride in her very own wheelchair - no one doubted they were screams of joy and delight." Through donations from caring individuals and groups - you can change a life forever for just under $60. We have over 675 volunteers all over the world helping fundraise, manage events, distribute wheelchairs, and organize mission trips and share the message about Free Wheelchair Mission.
Officers for Fiscal Year
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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
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