May 24, 2007

BIGFORK VALLEY NEWS RELEASE

BIGFORK VALLEY DONATES TO WHEELS IN MOTION

Over the past several years, wheelchairs that Bigfork Valley can no longer use or are beyond repair have been collected. During May, these wheelchairs and numerous walkers as well as miscellaneous parts and pieces were donated to Wheels In Motion, a volunteer organization which collects, restores and sends wheelchairs to developing countries.

Arrowhead Transit donated transportation for the wheelchairs to Duluth's drop-off site at KDNW Christian radio station. From there, the wheelchairs and walkers will be repaired and delivered to people who can't afford such equipment.

"We have had incredible support from the cities of Superior, Duluth and surrounding areas for Wheels In Motion, said Lynn Ross, Wheels in Motion coordinator for this area. "We have been going to Vietnam for the past 4 years with a team from the Northland. God has richly blessed our efforts here."

"It means a great deal to us that equipment we can no longer use will benefit those in need," said Dan Odegaard, CEO of Bigfork Valley. "We'd like to thank the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency which operates Arrowhead Transit, and the Wheels in Motion organization for helping us make this happen."

Wheels in Motion can be visited at www.wheelsinmotionus.org. Bigfork Valley is a diversified health care campus located in Bigfork, Minn., and can be visited at www.bigforkvalley.org.