IHCC collecting wheelchairs, canes

OTTUMWA ? The Physical Therapist Assistant Club at Indian Hills Community College is holding a collection for used wheelchairs, canes, walkers or crutches that will be repaired and distributed to needy disabled persons in Third World countries.

The IHCC club is partnering with the Wheels for the World project, a disability program of Joni and Friends Foundation.

The club will be accepting manual wheelchairs ? they cannot accept electric wheelchairs or scooters ? metal crutches, canes or folding walkers. Students will be available to accept donations from 2-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Rural Health Education Center on the IHCC Ottumwa campus.

The donations collected will be combined with those from other collection sites throughout Iowa and the country. The equipment will be refurbished at a correctional institute before being distributed to individuals in need.

Anyone who has equipment to donate, but can?t make it to the Indian Hills campus during the collection dates, can call Lori Kielkopf at IHCC at 641-683-5318 to make arrangements for the equipment to be picked up.