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First Lady’s Project Wheelchair Program

American Wheelchair Mission / Wheelchair Sunday Action Guide

State Director: JD Gutierrez | Assistant Director: Jim Weber

The Knights of Columbus, in partnership with the American Wheelchair Mission, raises funds to provide wheelchairs to children, adults, veterans, and the elderly who lack mobility and cannot afford a wheelchair. More than 100 million people worldwide are estimated to need a wheelchair, and each wheelchair delivered can improve the lives of the recipient, family members, caregivers, and the broader community. Since 2003, the Knights and the American Wheelchair Mission have helped deliver more than 150,000 wheelchairs worldwide. A wheelchair is more than equipment—it restores freedom, dignity, independence, and opportunity.

2026–2027 Goals

The Texas State Council First Lady’s Project has established a statewide goal of sponsoring 15,000 wheelchairs, representing $2.25 million in donations. Each council is encouraged to support the mission by donating at least $150, the cost of one wheelchair, and by including this amount as a line item in the council budget. Grand Knights should regularly place the Wheelchair Program on the monthly council meeting agenda to maintain awareness, track progress, and encourage participation.

Key giving goals include:

$150 sponsors one wheelchair.

$1,500 sponsors 10 wheelchairs and qualifies as a Featured Program requirement toward Columbian Award credits.

$16,500 sponsors a small container of 110 wheelchairs.

$42,000 sponsors a large container of 280 wheelchairs.

Each district should strive to conduct at least three Wheelchair Sunday events.

Diocesan Goals

Why Wheelchair Sunday Matters

The most effective way for councils to raise funds is through a parish-wide weekend fundraiser known as Wheelchair Sunday. This event gives parishioners the opportunity to join the ministry directly through prayer, awareness, and charitable giving. It also provides councils with an opportunity to visibly demonstrate the first principle of the Knights of Columbus: Charity.

Wheelchair Sunday is especially effective when the pastor is actively involved. The pastor’s support gives the effort credibility, connects the mission to the parish’s charitable outreach, and opens the door for bulletin announcements, website promotion, video presentations, and pulpit talks. Councils should approach the pastor early, request his approval, ask for his recommendations, and keep him informed throughout the planning process.

The pulpit announcement is one of the strongest drivers of participation. Texas council data shows events with pulpit announcements averaged approximately $26,291, compared to approximately $6,343 without one—more than four times higher.

A brief 2–3-minute pulpit talk helps parishioners understand the need, connect personally with the mission, and respond immediately.

Preparing for a Wheelchair Sunday

Councils should begin planning early and follow a simple, organized process:

  1. Appoint a Wheelchair Sunday Chairman to lead the effort from planning through follow-up.
  2. Obtain pastor approval to conduct the event, deliver a 2–3-minute pulpit talk, and/or show a short video at all Masses. If a pulpit talk or video is not approved, the council can still conduct a Wheelchair Sunday using tables, brochures, bulletin announcements, and online giving.
  3. Schedule one or two weekends that do not conflict with other parish fundraisers.
  4. Request materials from the Wheelchair Director or Assistant Director, including sample pulpit talks, donation envelopes/forms, brochures, certificates, videos, display materials, and guidance.
  5. Promote the event up to six weeks in advance through parish bulletins, pulpit reminders, posters, parish and council websites, social media, email, and QR codes for online giving.

Useful supplies may include a display wheelchair, donation envelopes, forms, newsletters, videos, pins, display boards, pens, clipboards, baskets, Certificates of Thanks, and Our Lady of Guadalupe lithographs for qualifying donors.

Conducting Wheelchair Sunday

On the event weekend, councils should:

  • Set up at least one table in the narthex or outside the church, depending on available space and pastor approval.
  • Display a wheelchair, posters, brochures, donation forms, and QR codes for online giving.
  • Deliver pulpit talks and/or show the video at all Masses, if approved.
  • Cover all exits after Mass to collect donations and distribute envelopes.
  • Ensure checks are made payable to American Wheelchair Mission.
  • Use donation envelopes for donors requesting a Certificate of Thanks for gifts of $150 or more, an Our Lady of Guadalupe lithograph for gifts of $500 or more, or credit card processing.
  • Note “Took OLG” on the donation envelope when a lithograph is given to a donor; one lithograph should be provided per donor.

Credit card readers may be available so funds can go directly to the American Wheelchair Mission. Councils should also promote online giving for parishioners who prefer digital donations or who are unable to attend in person.

Donation Methods

First Lady QR Code for Online Donor Form

Councils should make giving simple and flexible by promoting multiple donation methods:

  • In-person cash or check donations after Mass.
  • One-time online donations.
  • Recurring monthly donations.
  • Installment donations for larger gifts.
  • Individual, council, parish ministry, Catholic Daughters, business, and organization contributions.

For online donations, donors should visit amwheelchair.org/donate, select “Texas First Lady’s Project” in the Campaign field, and enter the council number in the Organization/Council field. Checks should be made payable to American Wheelchair Mission and mailed to:

American Wheelchair Mission
4820 E University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-8106 USA

Please write: First Lady’s Project on the check. Checks should not be mailed to anyone else.

After Wheelchair Sunday

Following the event, the council should:

  • Count loose cash and issue one council check for the total amount.
  • Mark “Cash” on donation envelopes containing cash and include the total in a council or personal check.
  • Mail all checks and envelopes to the American Wheelchair Mission, preferably by FedEx if a FedEx number is available.
  • Thank the pastor, parish staff, donors, volunteers, and participating ministries.
  • Share results with the parish and council.
  • Recognize special donors.
  • Submit required forms, including Form 10784 – Fraternal Programs Report and the online SP-7 Columbian Award Application, when applicable.

Recruitment Opportunity

Wheelchair Sunday is not only a fundraiser but also a powerful membership recruitment opportunity. Parishioners see Knights actively serving others, leading a visible parish ministry, and making a measurable difference. Councils should staff donation tables with welcoming members who can explain the mission, answer questions, share council activities, and invite Catholic men to join.

Councils should provide membership brochures, QR codes, and instructions for joining online at kofc.org/join. When possible, invite the Field Agent to attend and discuss Knights of Columbus benefits. A successful Wheelchair Sunday allows councils to show that membership is not simply about meetings—it is about living Charity, Unity, and Fraternity through meaningful service.

What We Need from Leaders

Diocesan Deputies should establish and communicate diocesan goals, promote participation across every district, identify opportunities at parishes without councils, and track diocesan progress.

District Deputies should help councils secure pastor support, schedule events, coordinate resources, encourage collaboration among councils and parish organizations, and work toward at least three Wheelchair Sundays per district.

Grand Knights and Councils should budget at least $150 for one wheelchair, place the program on the monthly council agenda, schedule a Wheelchair Sunday, recruit volunteers, promote in-person and online giving, conduct pulpit announcements when approved, use the event for membership recruitment, and submit all required reports.

Call to Action

Every council can help meet the statewide goal of 15,000 wheelchairs by making the

Wheelchair Program a regular council priority and conducting a well-planned Wheelchair Sunday. When councils engage the pastor, promote early, make giving easy, invite new members, and report results, they help restore mobility, dignity, and hope to those in need while strengthening the charitable identity of the Knights of Columbus.

J.D. Gutierrez
First Lady’s Project Director
Gutijoed3371@outlook.com