Tim Gibson, the silver fox of my NYCares/Caring Community food delivery program is issuing an interesting humanitarian challenge. He’s asking his fellow volunteers to set out on a scavenger hunt for usable crutches, walkers and canes that he will personally deliver to the needy through Crutches 4 Africa. In February, Tim will embark on the Abercrombie and Kent private trip around Africa. His goal is to collect as many mobility devices as possible and distribute them to people suffering the effects of polio, birth defects and landmine accidents in the most remote and impoverished areas of the continent.
“There are thousands of crutches, walkers and canes out there,” insists Tim. “It’s just a case of finding them. And once people know where they are going, and they will be given away for free, the closets open. It’s wonderfully simple and effective. Someone’s broken ankle here becomes a lifeline to someone who can now become mobile for the first time in their lives. They get dignity as well as mobility.”
Hand delivering these gifts is exciting and heartbreaking considering the physical conditions of the lucky recipients. “I’ve seen people who literally have been born with no legs … their bodies just stop at the hips.” Tim recalls “one guy who was punting himself around on a large skateboard.”
Information on Crutches 4 Africa, its founder David Talbot and ways to help can be found on their website at www.crutches4africa.org.
Entries (RSS)
August 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
What a fantastic idea! When I realise just how dependent I have been on mobility aids recently I’d love to donate two pairs of crutches to help someone else.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Kudos to Tim Gibson for organizing this trip to Africa with mobility devices. We could take it a step further nationally if some national org like Red Cross, opened their doors to donations and somehow was able to transport this much needed cargo to communities in dire need. Any ideas out there? Go Timbo! Bless you.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
This is a FANTASTIC idea. Even if someone doesn’t have crutches or a walker at home (I don’t), they can afford the $3. I hope a million other people donate as well!
August 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
What we all take for granted can change someone else’s life. This is a wonderful idea. I’m going downstairs to dig out my walking frame and crutches!
August 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Knowing Tim for many years, I know that he will get this done the right way with his never ending enthusiasm for yet another worthy cause and his personal involvement in the project.
“Thumbs Up” to A&K for transporting them on their Private Jet trip around Africa!
Let’s all look for crutches and get them to Tim!
August 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
What a great idea! There should be many people who could emulate Tim: discarded eyeglasses would require some organisation to match need and what is available, but walkiung aids - that’s relatively easy. Good on ya!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:43 am
A donation to Crtuches 4 Africa is so reasonable, starting at US$3.00, everyone can afford to contribute at least a dozen canoli’s worth!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Thanks to Tim for organizing this and thanks to Julia for publicizing! You’re both saints in my book. Go New York Cares (a little shameless self-promotion)!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Tim is an excellent promoter of this wonderful Abercrombie & Kent humanitarian effort and has raised awareness of Crutches 4 Africa.
“It just goes to show” what can be done to improve the lives of others.
Terrific in so many ways.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Pretty good young brother.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Wow! This project is a no brainer!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I would like to applaud Tim Gibson for what he is doing.
I am donating a pair of crutches for him to take to Africa.
This is truly a very worthy cause and I will be spreading the word!
Thank you for doing this Tim!
~ Ciao
August 21st, 2008 at 8:29 am
With all his far-flung travels, Tim sees not just the luxury resorts and posh destinations of his upscale clientele — he also witnesses some of the poorest places on the planet, with people in desperate need. He relates to all with sincerity and cheerful bonhomie. I imagine this really isn’t charity to Tim — it’s being caring and practical, and it appeals to his innate sense of goodness — and frugality! To be able to make such a difference in the lives of so many by collecting, transporting and distributing crutches demonstrates a genuine concern for his fellow man, and wonderfully achieves British novelist’s E.M. Forster’s maxim, “Only connect.” Bravo, Tim — we’re proud of you, and the world is a better place for what you do. Okay, end of tribute…now to the crutches4africa.org to make a donation.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:46 am
What a compassionate and kind work that Tim is doing, God bless him! I admire his work and his commitment to such good cause!!!
For those of us who has never experience being on crutches before we don’t know how useful it is, let alone know how important it is for us. But imagine for those who have polio or landmines victims, this is their second legs!! for those of us who have a comfortable life, a crutch is not expensive, but for those who lives on less than a dollar a day, a crutche is everything!
Please help Tim in whatever effort you can to raise more crutches!
Good luck Tim,