Greetings!
Chariots of Hope Annual Meeting March 23, 2011 Report of the Chairman of the Board HandsOn Network [a national organization] believes in the power of informed and active citizens to create meaningful change in their communities. In 2009, 63.4 million Americans reported that they participated in some form of community service, contributing 8.1 billion hours of service, which has an estimated dollar value of near $169 billion. Small as we may be, Chariots of Hope can take pride in being a part of that vast army of concerned persons who have made a tremendous difference in lives of numerous individuals. As one couple wrote us "Just letting you know that without the wheelchair you gave us, we would not been able to go to Vegas for the first time out since Dec. 2009. ....You guys are doing a great job, when no one else cares." Add to this the moving pictures of 10 children in pediatric wheelchairs in Africa, chairs that Chariots provided. When we grow weary of our efforts, these recollections inspire us to do even more! So, many thanks to each one on the Board and to every volunteer who gives a helping hand. It was a difficult year with the death of key volunteer, Wayne Arey who handled our phone calls, wheelchair applications, correspondence and paper preparations for the shipping of wheelchairs. It took some time to make a reasonable transition. Fortunately we have a volunteer Sharon Busch who lives in Shelton handling our answering service and forwarding messages to appropriate persons for disposition. With Rebecca Taylor's assistance we now have a working arrangement on our Request Form to manage the acquisition of the Release Form from applicants. Previously, using hard copy forms, it required an unbelievable amount of time and email correspondence to acquire the Form which is required before we start processing applications. Currently, I am handling all of the applications and with the steady assistance of Chuck Fowler, boxing and transporting chairs to UPS for shipping. Dave Shannon is a back up responding to my calls. This is an area where we should focus on providing a broader base of participants. Speaking of applications, we receive approximately 19-20 each month. My tally of the last six months is as follows: October - 20 November - 23 December - 13 January - 21 February - 4 March - 4 Which means a total of 101 requests and of those 20 bariatric [not counted are the pediatric requests]. Obviously, our previous discussions about looking for funding to buy bariatric chairs continue to be a critical issue. Our shop space has to this time served us well, but now need further adjustment. We no longer have 'spill over room' for chairs as the adjoining bays are completely occupied by a new tenant. We can handle another 60 chairs with the installation of a lift. Sherry Foster is enlisting her family members to assist in accomplishing that project. Dave Shannon did the original research and drawings. Last year we had very successful fund raising events with Michele Carney shepherding the Golf tournament and John Reynolds and Barbara Buse guiding the Tea Party. As is expected the involvement, commitment and work of all the Board members make these events significant moments in the life of our organization. And we had the most successful 1000 Wheels Day collection on record with over 180 chairs collected and brought to our facility within a week - all due to the leadership and work of Sherry Foster managing us. During the year we spent considerable time attempting to respond to the drastic needs resulting from the floods in Pakistan. That effort will be solidified in a few days by our sending 60 wheelchairs to Movement for Independent Living in Lahore, Pakistan. Chariots is paying for the transporting of chairs to the port in Elizabeth, NJ and the boxing which will cost approximately $2500.00 MID is paying for the shipping costs. With the current political crises in the Middle East, I am more convinced that ever that we need to demonstrate by such deeds that we in the United States care deeply about the welfare of others in need far from out boundaries. So we have had hard moments and great moments during the year. It is my belief that we need to continue to strengthen and broaden the areas of board skills and relationships. That will require intentional and concerted effort. To set forth a plan of action for our future requires a strategic plan. Doing such planning means a commitment of time and is best accomplished with someone who comes to us with objective eyes and thoughts. I am suggesting that we look to the United Way or friend, or other resource to gain such assistance. Respectfully submitted, Paul D. Bobbitt Chairman | 
