Gift of Mobility keeps on giving with an eye toward donating 100 electric wheelchairs

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NORWICH — On Friday afternoon, AZ Pawn’s Gift of Mobility gave away six electric wheelchairs to those in need. In its 12th year, AZ Pawn owner Phil Pavone said they have given 38 chairs so far this year.

“Hopefully, by the holiday season, we will have given out a quota of 100,” Pavone said.

 

 

 

Even though the pandemic has stopped the Gift of Mobility from holding its traditional giveaway events at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, it’s important to Pavone to keep the charity going, even if it’s only smaller giveaways. 

“These things are lifechanging for these people,” Pavone said. “Some of these people haven’t gotten out of bed in months. Some people can’t leave their home without anything.”

Gift of Mobility takes donations of used electric wheelchairs, fixes them up, and gives them to people who are in need and can’t afford the chairs. 

 

 

 

Stephen Walkup, AZ Pawn pawnbroker and the resident mechanic for the Gift of Mobility, said the big expense comes from the batteries that power the wheelchairs. 

“Each battery can be several hundred (dollars), and these things take two of them,” Walkup said. 

 

One of the six recipients Friday was Walter Affek, who is an amputee. He said it’s hard for him to get around his apartment with a regular wheelchair, and he doesn’t satisfy all the Medicare requirements to receive an electric wheelchair otherwise.

“He’s done a wonderful service to everyone he’s donated these things to,” Affek said. 

For anyone in need, Pavone encourages them to give AZ Pawn a call and “we’ll see if we can help you.”