Wheels of Power

In the 1970’s, Rotary Club of Portland appointed a committee to survey the community for projects and needs. The committee made its report in June 1978.

The report in part said that “In the immediate Portland area there are scores of men, women and children confined to wheelchairs. Some of these are temporary confinements. But many are long range or even permanent. Birth defects, accidents, and disease put men, women and children in this category.”

“Manual wheel chairs are available from a number of sources,” the report said. “Unfortunately the accident or disease that makes a chair necessary doesn’t stop with disabling of the legs, the back or even the arms. By paralysis or weakening or lack of control or coordination, the victim has no power of movement or means of controlling where he or she is going.”

The current projects committee proposed that we address the problem and endeavor to supply as many power wheelchairs as possible through a “Wheels of Power” program.

Ken Bement, our President in 1976-1977 agreed to be Chairman of the Wheels of Power Committee. Ken remained with the program either as chair or as a member of the committee from 1978 until his death in 1998. Ken was the shepherd, the steward, the heart of the program, and the program continues today in his honor.

The first chair was delivered in 1978. Since then, more than 650 chairs have been provided at a cost of over $2 million. The impact on individuals affected and their families has been immeasurable.

How to Apply

Please click here to download the Wheels of Power application.

For more information on the Wheels of Power program, please Contact Us.