Knights' donation of 2,000 wheelchairs to veterans totals $1 million

Published: 2007-11-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In ceremonies Nov. 9-10 in Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Bonham, Texas, which is near Dallas, the Knights of Columbus distributed 2,000 wheelchairs to military veterans. "As our nation pauses to honor these men and women on Veterans Day, we are honored to be able to reach out to help veterans in need," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. Veterans Day was Nov. 11. "This wheelchair distribution continues our long-standing tradition of service to our service men and women, both those who are on active duty and those who are retired," he said in a statement in Washington. The Knights of Columbus partnered with the Wheelchair Foundation to distribute the wheelchairs. Five hundred were distributed in each of four cities in ceremonies that drew hundreds of people. A press release from the Knights said the Chicago ceremony began with Boy Scouts wheeling veterans into the auditorium of the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital in new "Ferrari red" wheelchairs, escorted by an honor guard of 76 fourth-degree Knights.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .