“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes
Philip Pavone, a Vietnam War veteran and the owner of A-Z Pawn Shop in Norwich, Connecticut changed so many lives after he discovered something in his store’s back room.
Phil decided to clear his store’s stock room last 2009. As he was clearing, he noticed a few motorized wheelchairs. The first thought that he had was if someone might still be able to use them. He didn’t want to just throw them away so what he did was he listed them for free in their local newspaper.
In just two weeks, he had already received more than 60 letters from people with disabilities asking if they can have a chair.
This makes us realize how mobility is truly one of our blessings in life. Most of us sadly take this ability for granted. These people who can’t even go out without a wheelchair would appreciate Phil’s gesture.
“At that moment, I realized how many people out there were suffering. It was unbelievable,” Phil said to Good News Network.
As he was reading the letters, he found out how heartbreaking some of the stories were.
“Some of the people writing to me hadn’t left their homes for months, even years at a time. Many were elderly and had no one to help them,” he continued.
From there, he knew he was destined to do something for these people.
With the information that he had, Phil did a few research and he found out that a motorized wheelchair would cost around $4,000 to $40,000 plus, they aren’t even covered by insurance. No wonder some people with disabilities would have second thoughts before purchasing their own unit.
Phil wanted to do more to help.
“I am a cancer survivor who knows firsthand what these chairs mean to people,” he wrote on AZ Pawn’s Gift of Mobility, Phil’s website for this project.
He saw that he can help many people with motorized wheelchairs and that it meant independence for these people – a chance to do normal things.
“Each year since 2009, I have been collecting unwanted motorized wheelchairs and scooters, refurbishing them, and giving them away at the holiday season at no cost to the disabled who cannot afford them,” Phil said on his website.
Phil had a goal and it was to match 100 refurbished wheelchairs to the people who need them and each year.
“Once we give these chairs to people and see how grateful they are —the tears and the hugging and kissing—I know we’re making a difference,” says Phil hoping to inspire more people.
Phil could have easily earned money with these chairs but he didn’t think of that, he thought of all the people who would benefit the wheelchairs and that was his goal – to help.
Phil and the people behind AZ Pawn’s Gift of Mobility accept donations from March 1 to October 31; they accept chairs and scooters and anyone who would want to donate can drop them off at his AZ Pawn shop in Norwich, Connecticut. Today, Phil and his group have already helped more than 580 people.
He also has a GoFundMe account where people all over the world can donate and help Phil with his cause. Don’t forget to share this inspiring story and help if you can.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
