Wheelchairs begin trek from Sequim to Guatemala

By Matthew Nash • September 28, 2022 1:30 am
Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.
Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.

After nearly 18 months in Sequim storage, hundreds of mobility devices went wheels-up to Guatemala on Sept. 20.

“It was thrilling to see it happen and to know they’re on their way,” co-organizer Rosalie DiMaggio said.

She and about 24 fellow volunteers with Dungeness Community Church loaded wheelchairs, walkers and more into a tractor-trailer at All-Safe Mini Storage.

DiMaggio started seeking donations in October 2020 for medical equipment after a Guatemala mission trip from her church was canceled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives with the nonprofit missionary group Bethel Ministries International reached out and asked if they could send wheelchairs and walkers instead.

So, over several months DiMaggio and volunteers brought in 146 wheelchairs, 152 walkers, 280 canes, crutches and walking sticks, along with 18 boxes with more than 200 wheelchair parts.

About 90 percent of the supplies came from local donations, including surplus items from Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, DiMaggio said.

All the supplies fit into two donated units from All-Safe’s owners as DiMaggio awaited a container because of a shipping supply chain issue.

“It’s been a roller coaster,” she said. “We were caught in the middle.”

By DiMaggio’s count, there were 20-plus delays awaiting the tractor-trailer, but it’ll go to Kentucky and likely queue for about two weeks before going to Guatemala, she said.

“It’s easier to ship from Kentucky than the Pacific Northwest due to congestion,” DiMaggio said.

“We hope they’re in Guatemala by Thanksgiving.

“We pray they get to their final destination in a timely manner.”

DiMaggio said a team of Guatemalans refurbish any supplies and help custom fit wheelchairs and other supplies for people of all ages.

She said their efforts will help individuals without discrimination, including those forced to lay in bed or the dirt all day due to their disabilities.

“For them to be comfortable and have some mobility makes it worth it,” DiMaggio said.

She said through the whole process she has remained in touch with the shipping company, as well as the group Mission Mobility — who will accept the donations at their Kentucky warehouse and handle the logistics of getting the supplies to Guatemala, she said.

Church members raised about $13,000 for shipping the supplies to Kentucky, DiMaggio said.

Co-organizer Paul Wesseler said volunteers thought there would be a shipping container instead of a tractor-trailer arriving on Sept. 20, but they shifted to assemble boards inside to better utilize space and stack items.

“We’re overjoyed it’s on its way,” Wesseler said.

Church members said they still hope to send a team to Guatemala in the future to help Bethel Ministries in its efforts to help people with mobility, DiMaggio said.

A follow-up donation drive is not anticipated, she said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Roger Gilchrist and Roger Dickson meticulously place walkers inside a tractor-trailer on Sept. 20 headed for Kentucky before being shipped to Guatemala to help people with mobility issues. Organizers with Dungeness Community Church hope the supplies can reach people by Thanksgiving.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Roger Gilchrist and Roger Dickson meticulously place walkers inside a tractor-trailer on Sept. 20 headed for Kentucky before being shipped to Guatemala to help people with mobility issues. Organizers with Dungeness Community Church hope the supplies can reach people by Thanksgiving.

Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.

Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Jackie Ragghianti helps fellow Dungeness Community Church attendees organize wheelchairs, walkers and more on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini-Storage to be shipped to Guatemala to help people with mobility issues.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Jackie Ragghianti helps fellow Dungeness Community Church attendees organize wheelchairs, walkers and more on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini-Storage to be shipped to Guatemala to help people with mobility issues.

Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.

Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette More than 500 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and walking sticks were loaded onto a tractor-trailer by Dungeness Community Church volunteers on Sept. 20 at All-Safe Mini Storage. Organizers have worked nearly two years to gather and ship the supplies to Guatemala.