OOCL’s community responsibility efforts have helped contribute to the success of a US charity, the Free Wheelchair Mission, with its founder receiving a top medal of honor.
On March 25, 2008, Don Schoendorfer, the founder of Free Wheelchair Mission, was presented the “Above and Beyond Citizen Honor” at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, USA, by former US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The congressional honors are awarded for instances of courage, sacrifice, integrity, patriotism, commitment, and citizenship.
OOCL provides discounted ocean freight to the charity, which has helped provide more than 250,000 free wheelchairs to the needy in more than 70 countries around the world.
In a message to OOCL, Mr Schoendorfer and colleagues wrote: “Thank you for your generous gift of discounted ocean freight to the Free Wheelchair Mission. Your gift of discounted shipping has allowed us to provide over 14,300 wheelchairs to people in Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. A wheelchair is a life-transforming gift not just for the recipient but for their family and friends as well. With your gift we are providing the most forgotten individuals with mobility, independence, dignity and hope. The Free Wheelchair Family wishes to thank you deeply.”