By Liz Page
STAMFORD – A local organization is getting the word out about its mission to raise funds for Children's Myoelectric Limb Project this month. The Stamford-Hobart Inner Wheel club is raising funds for the Inner Wheel USA's Foundation project. February is Foundation Month for the IW USA, a time to raise money for this worthwhile cause.
The mission was adopted in 1977 and has established a substantial endowment, working exclusively with the 740 Hanger Clinics in the nation to provide a hand or an arm to children under the age of 18 who have lost a limb through trauma, disease or genetics.
They provide new tech Hero Arms for those who are still growing, or traditional limbs, depending on the needs of the child. They call it "Turning Possibilities into Realities". The clinics work with the Foundation to identify and evaluate potential recipients , then fits, educates and trains the children in the use of their prostheses.
It also sponsors Camp No Limit, a non-profit organization providing camps for children with limb loss and differences. While the greater mission has been ongoing since 1997, the camper project was founded in 2004. It provides mentorship and support to the children and their families through a welcoming and supportive community to help all those who attend the camp. It stresses physical and occupational therapy, adaptations, prosthetic options and peer support.
Inner Wheel USA is a Gold Sponsor of the camp, with the Hanger Foundation a Platinum Sponsor. Sponsorships range from $100 to $25,000 and above.
Stamford-Hobart Inner Wheel member Betty Bergleitner is a second generation member of the local club. Her mother, Dorothy VanBuren, was a charter member of the club. Bergleitner believes it is an important, and worthwhile organization, serving the local communities. She is 50-year member and proudly wears her mother's pin to the monthly meeting.
She said the club formed off the two local Rotary clubs in Stamford and Hobart.
IW started as an offshoot of Rotary, with the wives of Rotary Club members joining together to form a club on January 10, 1924. They just marked their 100th anniversary and this coming May members will converge in Manchester, England for a formal celebration.
Their mission is to promote true friendship, the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding.
Although Rotary is older, created in Chicago in 1905, and made up of businessmen and professionals, women were allowed into the membership in 1970. Both organizations have remained committed to service to the community.
The theme of IW this year is "Shine a Light" on all of the fantastic work that has been done over the past century and what a great organization it is.
The Stamford-Hobart Inner Wheel has 20 members who take on various projects throughout the year. Each year they distribute dictionaries to third grade students at Stamford Central, South Kortright Central and Jefferson Central. "The kids seem so happy to receive a book that is theirs to keep and that they can take home with them," said Bergleitner.
They also started a plant program where members contributed house plants that are dispersed to residents at Robinson-Terrace, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Stamford. The plants are a hit, providing a living plant for each resident to grow and nurture.
In addition to the upper body prosthetics, they contribute to the Domestic Abuse Program, the local food pantry and the Christmas Feeling Fund.
International Inner Wheel has more than 120,000 members in 100 countries. The Stamford-Hobart Club has the distinction of being the oldest IW in the United States, chartered in 1951. They support the national foundation, Hangers, as well as other local charities and schools. Two times per year they host dinners and charge the Rotarians for dinner.
The club also meets with a club in Westchester County once per year.
If you are interested in joining, the group meets once per month, with the exception of January, February, March and April. Membership is no longer restricted to being the wife of a Rotarian, it is open to anyone. If you would like to see what they have been up to, check out their Facebook page.
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