More wheelchairs for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota

The Wheelchair Foundation recently shipped a 20-foot container filled with about 130 wheelchairs for CNMI residents who need them.

According to David Ayres, who, along with fellow volunteer Rob Erickson, initiated the contributions to the Commonwealth, the wheelchairs were intended to accommodate a list compiled by Catholic priests and submitted to Bishop Thomas Camacho.

Part of the list was accommodated last summer, when 140 chairs were made available, while the remainder, made up of 30 to 40 individuals, were able to pick up their chairs Saturday at the Northern Marianas College.

Ayres said those who did get their chairs should contact Bishop Camacho’s office for pick up.

Of the 130 chairs, Ayres said 20 would be sent to Tinian and another 20 to Rota next week.

The remaining chairs would be distributed to other individuals. Ayres already has a list of names. He said as the list continues to grow, more chairs would be ordered.

Ayres said the chairs cost about $150 apiece.

“It’s a very low-cost [purchase] based on very high volume and economical shipping rates because of the volume they ship out, but street value is about $400 apiece,” he said.

The chairs arrived on Dec. 29.

Last summer’s shipment also included 220 chairs each for Kosrae and the Marshalls. To date, almost 700 wheelchairs were donated to the Commonwealth, Kosrae, and the Marshalls.

Ayres said the Wheelchair Foundation intends to distribute about a million wheelchairs in a five-year span, beginning in 2001. He and Erickson first made the contribution available to the region last year after learning of the same thing on Guam about a year and a half ago.

Over 10,000 wheelchairs are shipped around the world, with four factories manufacturing them.

He said 50 percent of the costs are covered through international contributions to the Foundation, while the other 50 percent are raised locally.

This year, Ayres said businessman Bill Curry, who owns South Pacific Environment and a Thai jewelry shop in Garapan, contributed the entire 50 percent, which was needed to be raised locally.

Ayres said his and Erickson’s efforts have received positive feedback from the community.

“We’ve received tremendous feedback from people who benefit from them. They appreciate it. It feels great. It’s a rewarding experience because I’ve been here about 16 and a half years and it’s time to pay the community back. I’m going to do as much as I can do,” he said.

Ayres and Erickson also recognized several volunteers who assisted them, including Pacific Islands Club general manager Keiran Daly and staff.