provided to The Santiva Chronicle
An incredible 280 wheelchairs were delivered to different Rotary Clubs in Belize this past October thanks to the efforts of our riders in the Wheels for Wheels fundraiser last year.
Rotarians from the Sanibel-Captiva club that accompanied the wheelchairs were John Danner, Bob Stern, Barb Ellis, Linda Graves, Roxanne Stern, and Michael Young, as well as three Rotarians from the North Naples Club, Roger Dick, Charlotte Nal, and Joe Badway.
There are 11 rotary clubs in Belize, all participating in the wheelchair distribution throughout the country. Many of the recipients are younger people who have had amputations due to complications from diabetes, which is rampant in the country.
Part of the power of the Wheels for Wheels fundraiser is that the project can be seen from the beginning to the end, from the challenge to the delivery, as well as the fact that Rotarians are on the ground working with doctors and hospitals to determine who needs the wheelchairs, indeed a Rotary International project.
The upcoming Wheels for Wheels fundraiser will take place on April 5, 2025. Everyone can participate, even if you are not local on the day of the event.
John Danner is a retired minister in the United Church of Christ. One of his passions is raising funds for wheelchairs. Along with John Henshaw, he co-chairs the annual Howard S. Danner Jr. Wheels for Wheels Cycling Challenge.
The trip to Belize is the third international wheelchair distribution trip Dinner has led. He is a Past President of the Sanibel-Captiva Club and serves on the Nominating Committee as the Foundation Chair.
Danner is a published author and spiritual director who continues preaching in various locations. He also serves his denomination as an Annuitant Visitor.
Danner and his wife Linda divide their time between homes in North Carolina and Fort Myers. He is an avid father, grandfather, reader, cyclist, and theater buff.
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