Charleston County Parks receives Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for Beach Wheelchairs
from Staff Reports
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) announced last month that it had been awarded $24,590 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2023 Direct Effect 2nd Cycle Quality of Life grants. Through this grant, Charleston County Parks was able to purchase 10 TerraWheels Beach Wheelchairs for use at Folly Beach County Park and the Folly Beach Pier, as well as Isle of Palms County Park and Kiawah Beachwalker Park.
Fifty-nine grants totaling $1,271,125 were awarded in all. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,770 grants totaling $43 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living.
“CCPRC is thrilled to have received a Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. We look forward to the improved service this grant will enable us to provide via 10 new beach wheelchairs at the four ocean access parks we operate,” said Steve Hutton, CCPRC’s director of recreation and ADA coordinator. “Improving accessibility throughout our system is one of our core values, and the addition of these new beach wheelchairs will greatly help us achieve our goals and better serve our visitors who experience challenges when it comes to accessing beaches and other recreation areas.”
The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program, awarding grants in different category areas and varying in amount. The Direct Effect grants program funds organizations to support a wide range of projects and activities that will impact individuals living with paralysis and their families.
“These awards are about restoring independence to our constituents,” said Dan McNeal, Director of, the Quality of Life Grants Program, Reeve Foundation. “Our work and number one goal are to enhance the quality of life of people living with paralysis. It is our honor to continue to collaborate with so many dedicated organizations, which have selflessly given their time and efforts to ensure that accessibility and inclusivity remain embedded in the fabric of their programs.”
The beach wheelchairs are available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis during regular park hours. Please visit the park office upon arrival to check out a wheelchair. Reservations are not available for the chairs, but you may call the park office in advance to check availability.
For more information, visit Charleston County Parks’ accessibility webpage at www.ccprc.com/ADA. For hours and contact information for the parks, please visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
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