The Free Wheelchair Mission is an organization which sends wheelchairs to the poor in countries where other help is unavailable to disabled citizens. Recently, a shipment was sent to Uganda, India, and Ecuador. If you would like to donate or help in any way, please visit their site at: http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/ The joy of the recipients is uncontained, and unrestrained.

Friendly’s restaurants continue a 27 year tradition called ‘Cones for Kids’. Each year, the proceeds of a day’s worth of ice cream cone sales are donated to Easter Seals to help Easter Seals provide such comprehensive programs and services as medical rehabilitation, assistive technology, inclusive child care, adult day centers, and even camping and recreation for children and adults living with autism and other disabilities.

CHICAGO, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Friendly Ice Cream Corporation today announced results of its 27th annual ‘Cones for Kids’ Valentine’s Day fundraiser to benefit Easter Seals. Since the conclusion of last year’s campaign, Friendly’s Restaurants have raised just over $616,000 to help children and adults with disabilities in 16 states. Most of those dollars were raised during the chain-wide ‘Cones for Kids’ program, while a few communities held additional fundraisers to top off the amount. This year’s success brings Friendly’s overall total raised for Easter Seals to more than $25.2 million since 1981.

“‘Cones for Kids’ is a 27-year tradition that makes a real-life difference,” said George Condos, chief executive officer and president of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation. “We are proud of our corporate responsibility to give back to the communities we serve. Our partnership with Easter Seals allows us to do just that, through the funding of localized disability services for people of all ages.”

Each year, the money raised through ‘Cones for Kids’ helps Easter Seals provide such comprehensive programs and services as medical rehabilitation, assistive technology, inclusive child care, adult day centers, and even camping and recreation for children and adults living with autism and other disabilities.

In a series of large, anonymous, donations to educational institutions that have been taking place over the past few years in Kalamazoo, MI, the latest beneficiary is Croyden Avenue School. School officials note that community increases of autism and premature birth have resulted in more and more disabled children are entering the public school system. This donation is expected to change the lives of many children, building 6 schoolrooms and facilities meant to improve access to the disabled children. More details can be found here.