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Lynn Gonzales
Media Relations
The SCOOTER Store
(830)626-4064
"Grandma Thomas" Gets Gift of Mobility from The SCOOTER Store to Help Lead Walk for Navajo Youth
Phoenix, AZ, July 18, 2006—Dr. Marjorie Thomas—or "Grandma" as she is known throughout the Navajo Nation -- will have the aid of a power wheelchair donated by The SCOOTER Store for many years to come for the annual 80-mile walk-a-thon to raise money for a Navajo youth center.
Thomas recently completed her 13th consecutive four-day trek from Chinle to Window Rock in eastern Arizona, raising $5,200 and attracting hundreds of volunteers to help with the effort. Age and ailments have made it increasingly difficult for Thomas to complete every step of the walk, prompting the Central Navajo Youth Opportunity Coalition to work with the Phoenix offices of The SCOOTER Store, the nation's leader in changing lives by providing power wheelchairs and scooters to those with mobility impairments.
"I've always said I'll walk as long as I can for the Navajo youth," Thomas said. "While I can no longer complete every step, a power wheelchair will help me to continue to lead the walk and keep my promise to our young people."
A former education and administrator, Thomas has raised more than $100,000 for the youth center project since her walk began in 1993. Hundreds of volunteers join her for the annual event.
The SCOOTER Store created its Gift of Mobility program in December, 2002, as a demonstration of the company's commitment to "Always Do the Right Thing!" Since its inception, the national outreach program has donated more than $200,000 per year in power wheelchairs and scooters, plus hundreds more manual wheelchairs, to community service organizations, enabling them to provide freedom, independence and personal dignity to those with limited mobility.
"This program is an excellent example of The SCOOTER Store's mission and we are proud to be able to touch so many lives through these fine community organizations," said Doug Harrison, who with his wife, Susanna, founded The SCOOTER Store 15 years ago.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 350,000 people with limited mobility. The SCOOTER Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs and scooters, lifts, ramps and accessories in all 48 contiguous states plus Puerto Rico. The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 110,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
