SARASOTA, Fla. (September 8, 2016)—Harmar is pleased to announce a new partnership with Wheelchairs 4 Kids, a non-profit organization that is focused of providing the gift of mobility to children. This partnership offers a structure that helps Wheelchairs 4 Kids provide scooter and wheelchair lifts to the charity’s recipients. Harmar, along with its dealers, will help from evaluation of needs to the arrangement of installation and ongoing support.
“Harmar welcomes Wheelchairs 4 Kids as an official charity of our company. We look forward to supporting their mission by donating, providing our team members’ time and effort and helping in Wheelchairs 4 Kids fundraising efforts. Our shared mission is to help reduce the total cost of providing equipment to the children and ensuring a high-quality experience,” said David Baxter, Harmar’s vice president of marketing.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids, along with Harmar and 101 Mobility of Sarasota, marked this new partnership with the donation of an Outside Platform Lift, Swing Away and Wheelchair Cover for Gregory, a 13-year-old boy who lives in Sarasota, FL. Gregory has muscular dystrophy and uses a Quickie QM710SC power chair, and his family needed a way to transport the heavy chair. Harmar’s AL301XLHD extra-large heavy duty Fusion Lift is the industry’s only outside vehicle lift that can be used with that chair and the family’s 2013 Toyota 4Runner. The Swing Away and Wheelchair Cover options are also being provided so the family can easily access the cargo area and keep Gregory’s chair dry when being transported in inclement weather. Gregory and his family received the lift at the 101 Mobility of Sarasota Headquarters where the lift was installed.
The Honorable Mayor Willie Charles Shaw of Sarasota provided a proclamation declaring the day, Harmar—Lifts for Life Day. “I am honored to support such an important event, our children are our future and improving their quality of life is what it’s about for every family, and it’s great to see our local businesses getting involved to make it happen,” said Mayor Shaw.
“We have been searching and hoping to find a solution to the problems that so many of our families face when it comes to transporting their children’s chairs. This is a prayer that has been answered,” stated Wheelchairs 4 Kids Executive Director, Madeline Robinson. “Harmar has gone far and above anything we could have hoped for.”
Chuck Vollmer, president of 101 Mobility Sarasota whose company performed the installation, presented Wheelchairs 4 Kids a check for $375 to help continue the good work of the organization. “101 Mobility is proud to support Wheelchairs 4 Kids and this kick-off event, and is dedicated to helping provide the gift of mobility by selling, installing and servicing Harmar products.”
Many children faced with living with physical disabilities are in wheelchairs that are too small, in disrepair or do not fit the needs of the child. Children outgrow their wheelchairs before government or insurance programs will allow for a replacement. Not only is it unsafe for a child to be in a chair that is inadequate for their needs, but it can impact their health in numerous ways including scoliosis, respiratory problems and pressure sores. In addition, families are faced with trying to care for their special needs children in homes that have not been modified to meet their specific circumstances. The name may be Wheelchairs 4 Kids, but they do so much more including stair lifts, ramps, wheelchair lifts and platform lifts. Harmar produces many of the products that Wheelchairs 4 Kids recipients need.
Visit harmar.com and wheelchairs4kids.org for more information.
