May 5, 2006

CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE
URGE PARTICIPATION IN WHEELCHAIR COLLECTION

Chariots of Hope is a Connecticut-based, nonprofit organization that collects used wheelchairs and then refurbishes and distributes them to people around the world.  Efforts are underway to raise public awareness about the need for this service and to encourage people who own wheelchairs that are no longer in use to donate them to this worthy cause.  There are nearly 20 million children and adults around the world who could make use of the wheelchairs that now sit idle in people’s attics and basements.

Chariot’s next major collection effort is the 8^th Annual Day of 1000 Wheels. The  goal is to collect 500 wheelchairs on one day, Saturday, May 6, 2006.

Anyone wishing to donate a wheelchair may drop it off at any Connecticut State Police barracks (except Troop W, Bradley International Airport) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Representatives from Chariots will be on hand to accept the wheelchair donation.

For additional information, call (860) 249-HOPE or visit the Chariot’s Website at www.chariotsofhope.org.

State Police Drop off locations for the wheelchair collection:

State Police Troop A – Southbury

State Police Troop B – Route 7, North Canaan

State Police Troop C – 1320 Tolland Stage Road, Tolland

State Police Troop D – Westcott Road, Danielson

State Police Troop E, Montville

State Police Troop F, Westbrook

State Police Troop G, 149 Prospect Street, Bridgeport

State Police Troop H, 100 Washington Street, Hartford

State Police Troop I, 631 Amity Road, Bethany

State Police Troop K, Hartford Road, Colchester

State Police Troop L, 452 Bantam Road, Litchfield

* Last year more than 100 wheelchairs were collected across Connecticut.

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