Blogs

3/9/09

We frequently ask our donors and supporters for donations of cash or gently used wheelchairs and mobility equipment, but one of the coolest donations we received recently came from the students at Grant Christian School. 

In February Johnnie spoke to the students at Grant Christian School. Prior to his visit, the individual coordinating the event had read a copy of our fall newsletter and noticed our request for tools. She called the office asking exactly what we were looking for and said she was going to challenger her students to do a fundraiser to try and help us out. 

On the Monday morning following Johnnie's presentation to the students, I returned to my office and walked into a scene that reminded me of Christmas morning. Sitting on the floor were two large plastic tubs loaded with brand new tools and equipment used for fixing wheelchairs. I unpacked the tubs and spread the tools out on the floor in amazement. There were wrenches, ratchets, pliers, screwdrivers, a power drill and a power grinder, and plastic tubs to store wheelchair parts and accessories. In all there were enough tools donated to create a fully stocked toolbox in our upstairs workshop as well as a full set of tools downstairs in our warehouse. 

This donation is very helpful and will allow us to continue making necessary repairs to the equipment in our inventory. Having the right tools to make these repairs is what gives us the opportunity to continue giving the gift of mobility those in need. All of us at Alternatives in Motion want to say thank you to the students, staff, and families at Grant Christian School. Way to go!

Matt Chapman 
Director of Marketing and Special Events

2/25/09

The last few weeks I have been busy learning all I can about our new web site. Having the technology to update our site internally is great. Be sure to take a look around and see what's going on.

If you are new to Alternatives in Motion read our heartwarming recipient stories that show what we are all about. Click through these short stories and learn first hand how a wheelchair can change a life. 

For those of you who have been involved in our special events in previous years, be sure to check out the Special Events page and learn about the exciting things we having coming up. This spring is going to be a very busy time for Alternatives in Motion and we are getting geared up for all it has to offer. Visit the special events page frequently as I will be updating information about the Golf Outing and the Wheel Run Together as frequently as possible. 

Important Dates:

Saturday April 4, 2009: 13th Annual Wheel Run Together 5k, 10k run, and 1-mile fun walk at Grand Valley State University. 

Tuesday May 19, 2009: 5th Annual "What's Your Handicap?" Golf Classic at Thornapple Point Golf Club

Matt Chapman 
Director of Marketing and Special Events

2/17/09

We are excited to announce some big changes to our annual golf outing. In an effort to continue to improve on this fundraiser we have decided to move the date and change course locations. Here are the details as we know them right now: 

What: 5th Annual "What's Your Handicap?" Golf Classic
Where: Thornapple Pointe 
When: Tuesday May 19, 2009 
Cost: Register and pay on or before March 16 and pay only $105.00. Register after March 16 and the fee is $125.00 per player. 

We are working hard to make this event better and better each year. We are meeting with the golf course staff this week and will post more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities as soon as they become available. Stay tuned to the blog and the golf outing page for more information. 

Online registration is up and running! Visit the golf outing page today and sign up through the paypal registration. 
(No PayPal account required)

Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing and Special Events

1/27/2009

Join me for "It's Your Time!" A workshop for parents and children with special needs. I will be serving as the keynote speaker for this day long event designed with parents in mind. Presentations will include: trusts and wills, cooking with your kids, autism, middle and high school transitions, fitness and family fun, low tech sensory solutions, and much more. 

The workshop will be held on Saturday March 7, 2009 from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. in the DeVos Center on the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University. This event is sponsored by the Grand Valley State University College of Education and Kent Intermediate School District. Enrollment fee is $15 and includes parking, continental breakfast, and lunch. 

Click here to download registration information!

Johnnie Tuitel
Alternatives in Motion
Founder

1/16/09

With all the negative news being circulated these days it's easy to get a little down in the dumps. If you wonder why the good stories always go untold, wonder no more.

Dan Salas, two-time emmy award winning video producer and long time friend of Alternatives in Motion, is hitting the road with his camera to capture positive news stories from around Michigan that fail to make the front page. Dan's web site www.positivelymichigan.net  is an online source featuring stories about positive people, places, and things in Michigan. 

On Monday January 12th, 2009. Dan tagged along with Alternatives in Motion staff as we delivered a power wheelchair to a student at Grand Valley State University. This chair will replace an aging manual wheelchair she uses to get around campus and will make life a lot easier. 

Check out Alternatives in Motion on Positively Michigan.net

 Have an idea for a story? Email it to Dan and tell him what a great job he's doing: vvpds@chartermi.net

Matt Chapman 
Director of Marketing and Special Events