The Wheelchair Committee, in conjunction with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held a ceremony to donate twenty wheelchairs to persons in need on Saturday, August 5.

Some of the wheelchairs that were handed out

One of the recipients enjoying her new wheels while a family member looks on

Smiling happily are committee members Emrol Gould (left), Mrs Hassanali (4th from left), Mr Pantin right),  and Church members, including president Reid Robinson (3rd from right).

The committee, which operates through FEEL at the Fernandes compound in Laventille, has over the past few years been giving wheelchairs on a monthly basis.

Last year they ran out of wheelchairs and had a list of applicants over a hundred names long.

Members of the Wheelchair Committee include Mrs Zalayhar Hassanali, Mr Clive Pantin, Dr Peter Poon King, Ms Beverly Beckles, Mr Alain Laquis, Mr Emrol Gould.

It was Mr Gould who approached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints about assisting in the donating of the wheelchairs.

The president of the West Indies faction, Mr Reid Robinson, contacted superiors at the church’s United States faction; they were very anxious to help and promptly sent a container with approximately 250 wheelchairs.

The chairs will be donated on a monthly basis to persons in need of such a service, as Mr Pantin says “ we never give to people who can afford it.”

Mr Robinson also emphasised the fact that this service was to the public’s benefit as “very little is spent on administration, a lot of volunteer work went into this effort”.

All of the recipients expressed overwhelming and joy heart-felt thanks to members of the Wheelchair Committee and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mrs Hassanali who has been doing volunteer work for the past 60 years says it gives her immense pleasure to assist in filling this great need.

The Wheelchair Committee can be contacted through FEEL at Warehouse 8B, Fernandes Industrial Compound, Eastern Main Rd., Laventille. Telephone: (868) 624-7758.