Powerchair Billing

Electronic Retailing Association Wheelchair Project Raises Awareness for Global Foundation

Arlington, VA (PRWeb) March 1, 2007 -- The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), the only industry association representing direct response marketing companies and major retailers that use electronic media to sell goods and services to consumers, has donated over $450,000 in marketing services to the Wheelchair Foundation in order to raise awareness for the global relief organization. Providing a public service announcement, a radio campaign, a print campaign, telemarketing services, and media placement for free, the ERA Wheelchair Project hopes to garner international attention for the Wheelchair Foundation. Involving the entire direct response industry, the ERA Wheelchair Project inspired more than 30 companies to donate their time and services toward this charitable initiative.

"We have seen immediate differences since partnering with the ERA, " says Chris Lewis, Vice President of Public Education for the Wheelchair Foundation. "Our international awareness has increased dramatically and our increase in web traffic has been enormous. As a non-profit organization, traditional media was not a viable option for us. But with the help of the ERA, the entire industry is giving in a multi-pronged way, incredibly impacting people in need."

Dan Danielson, CEO and co-founder of Mercury Media and former ERA chairman, initiated the ERA Wheelchair Project in 2005. Originally inspired by the Wheelchair Foundation's relatively unknown presence, measurable outcomes, and international scope, Danielson desired to put the creative talents, time and skills of the industry to good use. ERA's international reach was also a perfect match for the tremendously global Wheelchair Foundation.

"The Electronic Retailing Association is an international association. We have members in Europe, Central and South America, Asia, as well as North America. It was important that we find an organization to fit our international profile," Danielson says.

Notable companies who have partnered with the ERA Wheelchair Project to donate their services toward this campaign include Apex Media, DIRECTV, Discovery Communications, ShopNBC, Livemercial, Novus Print Media, Icon Media Direct, Response Magazine and LiveOps. Internationally, companies in Canada, Latin America, Japan, and the United Kingdom have also donated their services.

In addition to providing services, ERA has raised over $187,500 for the Wheelchair Foundation, which is equivalent to over 2,500 wheelchairs. This year, the ERA Wheelchair Project is slated to distribute wheelchairs in Israel, El Salvador, Chile, Vietnam, and South Africa, and also plans to distribute over 280 wheelchairs in Hong Kong during its 2007 Asia Conference in April. While originally intended to be a one-year program, the ERA Wheelchair Project will now continue indefinitely due to its remarkable and unprecedented success.

Founded on June 13, 2000 by Kenneth E. Behring, the Wheelchair Foundation is the largest wheelchair relief organization in the world. Currently, the Wheelchair Foundation delivers up to 10,000 wheelchairs per month. Each wheelchair is high quality and specifically designed for developing countries. A similar wheelchair would sell for over $500 in the U.S. The Foundation estimates that over 100 million people in the world are in need of a wheelchair. Thanks to the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation, wheelchairs are being donated throughout the world to those who desperately need assistance.

For more information on the ERA Wheelchair Project, visit ERA's website at www.retailing.org.

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC RETAILING ASSOCIATION
Representing a more than $300 billion market, the Electronic Retailing Association (www.retailing.org) is the only trade association in the U.S. and internationally for major companies in the multi-channel electronic retail industry, which includes long- and short-form commercials, live shopping channels, the Internet and radio. ERA counts industry leaders like Guthy-Renker, HSN, QVC, ShopNBC, Match.com and eBay among its member companies.

###

options

MORE ARTICLES:

Wheelchair Lifts for the Home
A wheelchair lift is a mechanical devise that is used to lift wheelchairs. There are so many different types of wheelchair lifts in the market today. These allow easy mobility at home and outside of the home.

How to Choose the Right Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter Lifts
Preserving mobility does not only focus on the mobility device, but the lift or carrier that makes transportation of such mobility device possible is also one very important aspect. A wheelchair/mobility scooter lift helps the physically disabled and the elderly to enjoy more independence. The lift is very convenient for these individuals who uses such mobility devices and regularly require transportation of the device from one place (e.g. home) to another (e.g. mall/park).

Accessible Travel For The Wheelchair Bound
Finding a wheelchair accessible travel agency can be something that not many people would ever think of considering. However, for those who are a wheelchair user, traveling the world may be something that they previously thought that they could not do. However, in the modern world we live in today, finding accessible travel agencies can be as easy as a click of a mouse.A wheelchair accessible travel agency can offer a person who thought they would never be able to travel, an experience of a lifetime. Traveling around the world is no longer limited to those who are bound to a power chair or their home. Anyone can fulfill their dreams of traveling the world if they only take a chance and believe in themselves. A person can travel with someone...

The Scooter Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Determined Amputee Who Refuses to Give Up
Thanks to the gift of mobility, local woman who lost her legs regains her independence

What You Need To Know About Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps
Wheelchair ramps have improved a lot in recent years. Now, they're much more versatile and you have a lot more to choose from. You should have little problem finding just what you need. When you choose a wheelchair ramp, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to make the best choice for you, including your present physical health.

The Benefits of Vertical Wheelchair Lift
How fast can you walk? Run? Or climb the stairs? If without a second thought you can say Faster than you you would probably think that those are trick questions. But for those who find these rather simple tasks very strenuous and challenging to do, such questions can be arresting for them.

Portable Scooter and Wheelchair Ramps - Getting to Know What Types Are Available
If you are considering the need for a mobility ramp to keep you moving or to transport your scooter or wheelchair down from a truck or mini van, it is advisable to find as much information as you can on the types of ramps available. The wide variety of ramps on the market are ideal for negotiating steps and curbs, getting you smoothly over any transition in height that a doorway may present, and also to load and unload your chair from a vehicle.

Understand The Sales Pitch When You Buy A Wheelchair Van
Brooke is trying to find a wheelchair van. She need it to carry her paraplegic daughter around. After visiting several van dealers around her neighborhood she ended up with a headache listening to all of those sales pitch filled with jargons she didn't understand. She barely understand half of what they said.

Looking For Wheelchair Lift Vans
Wheelchair lift vans can be difficult to find because of their specialized function. These vans are made especially to accommodate wheelchair bound individuals. Wheelchair lift vans are designed in such a way that it will be able to allow wheelchairs to be lifted up and become part of the seating of the said van.

The SCOOTER Store Presents Power Wheelchair to Elizabethtown Man to Aid His Recovery
The SCOOTER Store and the National Association of American Veterans offer gift of mobility to son of Vietnam Veteran.

Mobility Products & Design Announces AMKAR -- Wheelchair Accessible Electric Car
Mobility Products & Design, a division of Braun Motor Works, announces AMKAR, a low cost, zero emissions, battery powered and wheelchair accessible vehicle for the physically challenged.

Can Renting A Wheelchair Save You Money?
Occasionally there is a short-term need for a wheel chair and they can be costly to purchase, even one that is used. This is when the option of wheelchair rental can come in handy. Being able to rent a wheel chair for a short time, many times the cost of which is covered by insurance, can help when recovering from an accident or illness.

Using The Proper Wheelchair Will Make Your Everyday Life Easier
If you have an injury or a health problem that restricts your mobility, you can achieve the independence you desire with a wheelchair that's just right for you. Wheelchairs are constructed for people of every size, shape, and age, and have features designed to meet the many diverse interests of users and appropriate for the various levels of assistance required.

Getting The Right Wheelchair For Your Child
Wheelchairs come in many different shapes and sizes depending on one's specific needs. However, choosing a child wheelchair can be tricky as there are many things you need to take in consideration; here are a few tips, which I hope will be of assistance when choosing a child wheelchair in the future.