Personal Energy Transportation (PET) San Antonio, TX
Bringing the "Gift of Mobility" to Disabled People Worldwide
What are PETs and what do we do?
The Need
There are an estimated 21 million people worldwide who have lost the use of their legs due to diabetes, polio, birth defects, spinal cord injury, or accident. Landmines alone kill or maim one person every twenty seconds. Conventional wheelchairs have not been successful navigating the unpaved terrain in rural, underdeveloped countries. The need for personal mobility is extensive and growing.
A Solution - PET
A PET (Personal Energy Transportation) is a hand-cranked wheelchair with solid rubber tires for use on dirt and grass. PETs are built entirely by volunteers in 13 manufacturing sites in the United States and in 4 other countries, with the goal of bringing the "Gift of Mobility" to disabled people. For the cost of just $250, we can build and deliver a PET anywhere in the world.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide PET vehicles at no cost to individuals with disabilities who live in poor and underdeveloped countries and who have no appropriate means of mobility by: operating a manufacturing site to construct PETs; educating the public about the great need of disabled and disadvantaged persons; raising funds to support the construction and delivery of the vehicles; and disseminating the vehicles to the applicants through international agencies/sponsors.
How You Can Help
PET International was started in 1995 by a retired missionary and a retired pastor, and the design for the hand-cranked wheelchair was developed. We are a faith-based, non-profit organization. Staffed by volunteers and funded by donations, we manufacture and deliver PETs around the world. Here's how you can help:
· Give/Raise Funds: Donations are always needed. It takes money to buy the materials, assemble, ship, and distribute the completed PETs at no cost to the recipients. Every $250 raised represents another person with restored mobility and independence.
· Become a Volunteer: Help cut, drill, weld, assemble, paint, package, and deliver PETs. With your desire and basic woodworking, assembly, or painting skills, we will provide all the training you need. We also need people to set up and host displays and presentations at churches, service organizations, and community events.
· Find Businesses that sell materials used in building PETs. Ask the owners to sell supplies to us at reduced cost so we can make the most of our donated dollars.
· Spread the Word About PET: Encourage your church, service organization, office, or group to invite us to make a presentation and bring a PET to show you what we are doing and to discuss how you can help.
Additional Information
For further information, click here or in the Menu Bar to "Watch Video". And please click on "Contact us" to get in touch with us.