High School Students Raise $2,880 at Wheelchair Relay
The Interact clubs at Live Oak and Ann Sobrato high schools raised $2,800 for the Wheelchair Foundation, which provides wheelchairs for people with disabilities in Third World countries. More than 30 students participated in a 24-hour Wheelchair Marathon relay by pushing wheelchairs on the Live Oak track Oct. 13-14.
According to the Wheelchair Foundation, more than 100 million people with physical disabilities need wheelchairs, but less than 1 percent have access to one. Every donation of $75, which is matched by the Wheelchair Foundation, provides a $150 wheelchair for a person who otherwise would be forever confined to a bed or a room in a house.
Valerie Lines, the Live Oak Interact vice-president, participated in the wheelchair relay because she wanted to support “people who depend on wheelchairs so they can go on with their lives.” Live Oak Interact co-president, Acacia BrownKorbel, encouraged her group to participate in the event, remarking that many high schools support the Wheelchair Foundation.
President Samantha Bondi of Sobrato’s Interact Club said, “It is amazing to see how much creativity flows when similar high school groups get together.” Sobrato Interact assisted Live Oak Interact, which sponsored the marathon along with the Morgan Hill Rotary Club.
Dan Newquist, Interact Club advisor and Morgan Hill Rotarian, prepared a tri-tip barbecue for the students. Newquist encouraged the young people and his fellow Rotarians to participate in the fundraiser because “these people are not helpless; they just need our help.” After viewing an inspirational Wheelchair Foundation documentary, the Rotary Club raised $2,500 in one day.
The high school Interact clubs volunteer for other community service events. Their next event will be to serve at the Founder’s Day Dinner on Nov. 11.
