Page One

When most of us daydream about vacationing, the scene is usually set with plenty of sunshine, white sandy beaches and exotic fruit cocktails festooned with paper umbrellas. 

Few of us, especially since the Sept. 11 tragedies, would think of actually spending precious vacation time on a humanitarian mission in the heart of a Muslim country. Even more so, a country the president of the United States recently singled out as a member in the “axis of evil.” 

But that’s exactly what Berkeley’s Current Planning Manager Mark Rhoades and Electronic Media Manager Patrick DeTemple will be doing for the next eight days.  

The two leave this afternoon for Iran, where they will join other volunteers to deliver 400 critically-needed wheelchairs to hospitals and humanitarian organizations.  

“We think it’s a great cause,” said Rhoades, who will be accompanied by his wife, Erin Banks. “We’re looking forward to experiencing a whole new culture and religion.” 

Rhoades and DeTemple are involved with the Wheelchair Foundation, a nonprofit founded two years ago by philanthropist Kenneth Behring. In the short time since its inception, Behring’s organization has delivered more than 35,000 wheelchairs to disabled people in 80 countries. 

Rhoades and DeTemple first became interested in the nonprofit last year when they attended a fundraiser organized by Soheyle Modarressi, president of the Oxford Development Group. 

Modarressi, a native of Iran, had recently taken a trip home where he visited a hospital with more than 700 patients and only two wheelchairs. After returning he heard about the Wheelchair Foundation and decided to do something.  

Modarressi organized the fundraiser with the help of the Persian Center and Ahmad Behjati, the owner of the Sante Fe Grill. About 150 people attended the event, which raised $75,000.  

The Wheelchair Foundation matched those funds, and together they purchased 1,000 new wheelchairs. Last November, the first 500 wheelchairs were delivered to Iran. Rhoades and DeTemple will be accompanying the second shipment. The cost of a single new wheelchair is $150.  

“This is a clear and straight forward charity,” said DeTemple. “It’s a clear response to an important need.” 

Wheelchair Foundation organizers have set a goal of providing wheelchairs to the estimated 100 million people worldwide who do not have use of their legs.  

“People get very excited about this program because for a relatively small amount of money you can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s life,” said Fred Gerhard, the distribution manager for the Wheelchair Foundation. “The results are very tangible, you literally transform a person’s life in a second.” 

Both Rhoades and DeTemple said they’ve been concerned since President George Bush designated Iran, along with North Korea and Iraq, as part of the “axis of evil” during his State of the Union address on Jan. 29th. Bush accused the three countries of producing weapons of mass destruction. 

Bush’s comments have stirred angry responses from Iranian leaders and heated anti-American rallies throughout the country last Monday during the 23rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. 

Undaunted, both DeTemple and Rhoades said they don’t expect to encounter any hostility although they have some anxiety about the trip. 

“I suppose I could of done without the developments of the last 10 days,” said DeTemple. 

For more information about the Wheelchair Foundation call (925) 275-2170. Or go to www.wheelchairfoundation.org.  

Contact reporter: johng@berkeleydailyplanet.net