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In 2006, the Rotary Club of Shanghai partnered with the Rotary Club of Burlingame to provide new wheelchairs to needy people in and around Shanghai.

Despite China’s growing affluence, their health care system does not provide much for many people, so there is a genuine need for the wheelchairs that will not be met by other means in the near term. In order to maximize the potential of contributions made by Rotarians worldwide, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (TRF) allowed for a matching grant of $ 75000 to the Rotary of Shanghai in its support to the Wheelchair Foundation.

The project was an excellent opportunity for positive public relations for Rotary and to build relationships with other clubs. The wheelchairs were supplied by the Wheelchair Foundation Shanghai Office and are manufactured at a factory in Shanghai. All wheelchairs have the Rotary wheel and the names of the Shanghai and Burlingame Club embroidered at the back. The wheelchairs were donated to nursing and residential homes, children centres and the Kunshan Red Cross Society.