Crutches for Africa
GIVING TO OTHERS FEELS GOOD, OR AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT ALPHAKARMA. HERE’S ONE OF THE WAYS WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.
One hundred three thousand; that’s how many mobility devices have been collected, shipped, and distributed by Crutches for Africa. With the help of many volunteers, 26 countries have received mobility devices. Items like wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers ship to Latin America and Africa through C4A.
Crutches for Africa (C4A) is a nonprofit, international effort to gather used and new mobility devices for reuse in Africa and other developing countries. These devices are distributed free to people with physical challenges, regardless of race, gender, tribe, age or religion. Many recipients have survived the ravages of polio, although polio is almost completely eradicated; many people are suffering the long-term effects. Others have experienced accidents or acts of violence.
AlphaGraphics President Chris Oberg and former Infinite Imaging President Bill Hurley, both current members of the Portsmouth Rotary Club are committed to the community they serve. Bill has played an instrumental role in collecting, storing and distributing mobility devices for C4A. He has made the Islington Street, Portsmouth store a convenient drop off point for the mobility devices. Last year he purchased a trailer that is currently located at the Portsmouth transfer station. To draw attention to the collection point at the transfer station, he and the wide format team of Infinite Imaging, applied a custom vehicle vinyl wrap to the trailer.
Collectively, Chris, Bill and The Portsmouth Rotary Club have collected more than 500 mobility devices for redistribution around the seacoast to those in need locally as well as shipments to Africa. These include crutches, walkers, canes, arm and leg braces, wheelchairs etc. Chris and Bill see the C4A program as being good for the planet as well as humanity. Recycling and giving back all at the same time; a real win-win!
Email Chris and his team if you have a mobility device you are looking to donate. Any condition will be gratefully accepted. You can also find out about additional drop off locations at the Portsmouth Rotary website.
To find out more about the effort and read true stories about C4A and its founder David Talbot visit crutches4africa.org
