NEWS & EVENTS
Press Releases – 2003
August 13, 2003
MAHS and MASC Name Alternatives in Motion Charity of the Year
(Grand Rapids, MI) – The Michigan Association of Student Councils (MASC) and the Michigan Association of Honor Societies (MAHS) unanimously selected Alternatives in Motion as Charity of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year. The decision came after student delegates from both groups reviewed presentations from five charitable organizations last spring.
According to Kadi Judd, MASSP (Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals) Coordinator of Student Leadership Services, of which MASC and MAHS are a part, the main factors that persuaded the students’ decision to choose Alternatives in Motion were that the charity is Michigan-based and that it meets the criteria of having clear goals. “The students felt a closer connection to Alternatives in Motion,” said Judd. “The charity has a defined purpose of what they it does, why it does it, and how it does it. We can see exactly where our money goes…how it benefits that person, and we see our hard work in raising money doing good for someone else.”
Alternatives in Motion’s co-founder, Johnnie Tuitel, (pronounced “title”) from Grand Rapids, Michigan explained his organization’s purpose: “We basically provide wheelchairs to people who cannot otherwise afford them,” he said.
Tuitel, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, is a well-known speaker and co-author of the Gun Lake Adventure Series—children’s books that touch on disability and social issues in an adventure setting. He and his partner George Ranville established Alternatives in Motions to meet mobility needs of people with disabilities.
Of the charity’s origin, Tuitel said, “In 1995, after undergoing corrective surgery, my doctor said I needed a new wheelchair. He determined that my old one wasn’t adequate. It was then I learned that my insurance company wouldn’t pay for my new wheelchair. They operated—as do most insurance companies—on the one-chair-per-lifetime policy. Fortunately, I had the means to purchase the chair myself. But while I was recovering from the surgery, I had lots of time to think about the many people who either don’t have insurance at all, or who lack the means to purchase the equipment they need. That’s when I decided to do something to help those people.”
By the end of 2002, after seven full years of operation, Alternatives has provided wheelchairs or electric scooters to nearly 400 people. “Having a wheelchair doesn’t guarantee anything other than the ability to be mobile,” said Tuitel. “A chair won’t get someone a job. It won’t be the answer to all life’s problems, but it will provide an opportunity to be more independent.”
MASC/MAHS student board of delegates listened to Tuitel’s lively, often humorous presentation and came away excited at the prospects of working to raise money for Alternatives in Motion. Some of the student comments were:
“I am attracted to the simplicity of it.”
“We don’t need to try to explain some long-winded process to people in the hopes that they’ll contribute to the charity—it’s as plain as ‘we’re buying wheelchairs for those that can’t afford them. Please help out.’”
“Alternatives in Motion was founded and is based…in Michigan, so are we, as Michigan students and leaders. It’s a great combination.”
Tuitel echoes the students’ excitement. “We feel very fortunate at being selected,” he said. “Right now there are over 40 people on our waiting list to receive the equipment they need. We at Alternatives in Motion are eager to speak to student bodies to promote this fundraiser. It’s going to be awesome working together with students from all over Michigan in a way that will benefit our citizens.”
For more information about Alternatives in Motion, access their website at www.alternativesinmotion.org or call 616.493.2620 (local) or toll free at 877.468.9335