IRVINE, Calif., July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hosted and streamed
live on July 23 from its headquarters
in Irvine, California, Free
Wheelchair Mission presented an innovative new format for its
first-ever virtual event, Miracle of Mobility Live, presented by
Advisors Mortgage, LLC.
More than $1.5 million was raised
by the event, far surpassing the charity's expectations considering
the ongoing worldwide pandemic. The funds will enable the
organization to distribute more than 19,000 wheelchairs around the
world to those living with disabilities in developing
countries.
Due to COVID-19, the nonprofit's 17th annual event
was changed from its usual in-person gala in Southern California to a livestream event on
Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and the organization's website. The
program featured a fast-paced format, special guests, musical
performances, live video calls, and thousands of viewers, all to
raise awareness and resources to support the organization's work in
providing life-transforming mobility.
Miracle of Mobility Live was hosted "at home" at the
organization's headquarters with co-hosts, David Hummelberg, Event Committee Co-Chair and
host of last year's Miracle of Mobility, along with Free Wheelchair
Mission CEO Nuka Solomon.
The new virtual format significantly extended the reach of the
event well beyond those who would usually attend in-person in
Orange County, California. The
company estimated more than 25,000 views of the livestream and more
than 140,000 views of other Miracle of Mobility video content
before and after the event.
"While the pandemic continues around the world, we wanted to
join together to share a unique and uplifting message of hope in
difficult times," said Solomon. "We are so thankful to all of our
sponsors, donors, and supporters who have responded so positively
to our event, helping us to far surpass our original projections,
which had been tempered due to COVID-19. With the virtual format
this year, we were able to attract thousands of viewers across the
country, and around the world, whom we would have otherwise not
been able to reach with our in-person event."
Miracle of Mobility Live featured special guests including
Chicago Bears quarterback, Nick
Foles and ESPN personality and disabilities advocate,
Victoria Arlen, as well as musical
performances by four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning for KING &
COUNTRY and two-time GRAMMY-nominated Jaci
Velasquez, who performed with her husband, Nic Gonzales of the band Salvador.
"It was a thrill to be a part of such a special night," said
Luke Smallbone of for KING &
COUNTRY. "Free Wheelchair Mission is doing fantastic and important
work by bringing the gift of mobility to so many in need around the
world."
In conjunction with the livestream event, the organization's
website offered unique ways for viewers to participate and
celebrate at home, including a virtual photo booth, suggested
recipes, partnering restaurants to order in from, printable
decorations, and more.
"Although the coronavirus has been devastating in the
communities we serve, we will continue to safely deliver
wheelchairs to so many who need them," said Free Wheelchair Mission
Founder and President Don
Schoendorfer. "Now, more than ever, those living with
disabilities in developing countries need our help. They see and
feel the impacts of the pandemic and may be fearful of what might
come next. We want all our recipients to know that when they are
sitting in one of our wheelchairs, they are feeling God's love.
With the ongoing support of so many, our mission continues."
Donations for Miracle of Mobility Live are still being welcomed
at: www.MiracleofMobility.org
About Free Wheelchair Mission
Over the past 19 years, Free Wheelchair Mission has provided
more than 1.2 million wheelchairs to those living with disabilities
across 93 countries. Founded in 2001 by Don
Schoendorfer, Ph.D., Free Wheelchair Mission is a
humanitarian, faith-based nonprofit based in Irvine, California that designs and
manufactures cost-efficient, durable wheelchairs for individuals
living with disabilities in under-resourced countries. In
collaboration with a worldwide network of like-minded partners that
facilitates wheelchair distribution, the charity provides renewed
dignity, independence, and hope through the gift of mobility, all
at no cost to the recipient.
In addition to their work in providing wheelchairs, Free
Wheelchair Mission has also been one of the only disability
charities based in the United
States to provide critical medical supplies and mobility
aids during the pandemic, through support from their Medical and
Mobility Emergency Fund
(www.FreeWheelChairMission.org/emergency).
Connect with Free Wheelchair Mission
- Miracle of Mobility Live: www.MiracleofMobility.org
- Website: www.FreeWheelchairMission.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/freewheelchairmission
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/fwmission
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/FWMission
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/free-wheelchair-mission
Media
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ny1vo09pgkx91f9/AAAEPcVSgX3yO7dbt8gak8D2a?dl=0
Media Contact:
Brad Cooper
Head of Marketing
949-529-1984
bcooper@freewheelchairmission.org
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SOURCE Free Wheelchair Mission