Janae Richards is giving the gift of mobility to people who desperately need a wheelchair.
“When I was ten-years-old me and my friend wanted to be involved in a charity project and this is when my papa showed me a video of Free Wheelchair Mission,” said Janae.
“I showed her a five minute video and she was smitten instantly and she says, I hurt for these people and I’d like to make a difference,” said Jake Funk, Janae's grandfather
Since then, Janae has become a tireless advocate and fund raiser for the organization.
“I was shocked when I learned that over a hundred million people needed a wheelchair and I was very inspired because one wheelchair is only 73 dollars and 71 cents,” said Janae.
The chairs are reasonably priced because they are made up of a common plastic lawn chair, set inside a metal frame, which is then equipped with bicycle tires.
When Janae got involved in the project she set a goal to raise enough money for ten wheelchairs.
She organized a few bakes sales at school to get started and it wasn't long before she had the $737 for ten chairs. “With a matching grant I was at twenty so I knew I could get fifty so I sold bracelets and cards in my neighbourhood and I recently had a garage sale. Today I'm able to provide funds for 147 people.”
Janae will see her efforts pay off and has been given the opportunity to go and witness the distribution of the wheelchairs.
“I wanna see the expressions on the people's faces when they first experience the gift of mobility,” said Janae. “I'm gonna fund raise for our tickets to get there and to get back and I wanna take my family with me.”
Her grandfather helped to ignite Janae's passion for the mission and he would love to share the experience with her.
“Being there is something that's on our goal list to do and to have her present there having been so passionate about this would be absolutely awesome,” said Funk.
For all she's doing to give needy people the gift of mobility, Janae Richards is our inspiring Albertan this week.
