Wheeling4Wheels

Ambassador for Mobility: John Warnick

Location: Ohio Valley, Wheeling, WV (and surrounding areas)

Background: John discovered Free Wheelchair Mission in 2010, as he noticed a group of active Ambassadors in Ohio Valley getting the word out about FWM. From the very beginning, he’s been an active supporter of FWM, using a combination of athletic and church partnerships to get the word out. His supportive family includes a wife, two grown daughters and a 10 year old son. 

The Story: In 2010, John saw stirrings of support for FWM in his small town of Wheeling. He was so taken by the mission that this athletic-minded Ambassador decided to reach out to FWM directly to so he could dedicate a 1,900-mile, nearly month-long bicycle trek from Florida to Wheeling, West Virginia to the cause. He even started his own blog about his efforts, which he continues to use to document his efforts for FWM. Since this first event in 2010, John has organized all sorts of athletic awareness events for FWM – from his weekly Saturday “Mobility on National Road” running group, to his famous “Pittsburgh Push”, when he towed a modified FWM wheelchair attached to his bike the 70 miles to the start of the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2011, where he promptly detached the wheelchair from his bike and pushed it for the entire half marathon! John maintains an online Ambassadors webpage where he can collect donations, which he also links directly to his personal blog.

John shared with us that “A year ago I received a transformation. God positioned me so that I would Be the Blessing to many people.” We here at FWM can attest to the fact that John has been, and continues to be, a blessing to many!

Lives Transformed to Date: over 100. 

John’s Call to Action: “I challenge each of you to spend one day doing nothing but giving, do it all day every second in every situation, hold nothing back, give of yourself, give a possession, give a smile, give a hug, give a compliment, give encouragement, lift up the God that is in your neighbor. Do it for a day and then count the blessings returned to you that day - they will be more than you have received in a year. It was for me and it will be for you. Let's solve this humanitarian need; in you and in me I lay the solution. It's just that simple and so rewarding!”

Garage Sale for Mobility

Ambassador for Mobility: Savannah B., 9 years old

(One person can make a difference, no matter their age or size)

Location: Huntington Beach, California

Background: Her family attended FishFest 2011 & it was Savannah's first concert. She saw banners and FWM chairs throughout the venue and it intrigued her, as her grandfather and father both use wheelchairs. 

The Story: When asked how she found FWM, Savannah leaned in, smiling, and said “Well THIS is a story! Ever since I was little, about 5 years old, I always wondered what I could do to change the world. Then, I went to Fishfest and I saw this amazing video about Free Wheelchair Mission and their special wheelchairs – and BAM! There it was. Right in front of me - my chance to change the world! I loved what FWM does, and I even got to meet the founder Don that day. He gave me a brochure and a bracelet!” 

The rest was history. Savannah left that concert ON A MISSION. She came out and announced to her mom that they just had to get involved with FWM, and decided to hold a garage sale and donate all proceeds. The Baumann clan has visited FWM headquarters and Savannah has set up her own Ambassador webpage. She’s sent out close to 50 e-mails so far, and has been talking to anyone and everyone about FWM since that fateful day at FishFest 2011! One of her first projects after FishFest was to hold a garage sale, with all proceeds benefiting Free Wheelchair Mission.

Lives Transformed to Date: over 16 and counting. Savannah is still campaigning... Her 10th birthday was in mid-September 2011, and she requested that anyone who didn't know what to get her should donate to FWM because “she has enough clothes and toys.” She aspires to continue to support FWM through the new Free Wheelchair Mission Jr. Ambassador program.

Savannah’s Call to Action: “Pray with me & help if you can for people who can't get around on their own!”

Penn State FWM Club

Ambassador for Mobility: Stephanie T. (second from left)

Location: Penn State, in State College, PA (between Pittsburgh & Philadelphia; the center of the state)

Background: While on summer vacation from college in July 2010, Stephanie stumbled onto FWM when trying to donate an old wheelchair to us. Her older sister uses a wheelchair, and as a result, her family has a deep connection to the cause and the motivation to help FWM.

The Story: In September 2010, she officially founded Pennsylvania State’s Free Wheelchair Mission Club. The club supports fundraising activities via football tailgates, school dances, and information fairs. They even have their own Penn State FWM Club blog! The club made it to the top 25 contenders for a $10,000 grant at the annual Classy Awards in San Diego 2012 for the "Most Influential College Student Organization"!

Lives Transformed to Date: over 20 and counting. (She is committed to raising a full container.)