Turning crutches into connection

Volunteers unload mobility devices in Zambia as part of the Crutches 4 Africa initiative.

By Janet and Lonny Stormo, Rotary Club of Stillwater Sunrise, Minnesota, USA

When a simple set of crutches lands in the hands of someone in need, it can change a life. When thousands are collected, shipped, and distributed across the globe through Rotary collaboration, it becomes a movement.

Our Rotary club launched and spearheaded a district grant project in partnership with Crutches 4 Africa that not only collected crutches but created community. The project united more than 150 members from 15 Rotary clubs in District 5960 (Minnesota, Wisconsin, USA) who gathered, sorted, and shipped 3,681 mobility devices — including crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and other adaptive equipment — to people in Zambia who lack affordable access to these life-transforming tools.

This project, which provided US$1.4 million worth of medical devices to those in need, became a catalyst for public awareness, member engagement, and a way to engage thousands of community members to participate in a Rotary service project.

Why mobility matters

Polio, age-related disabilities, and injuries leave many in sub-Saharan Africa without access to mobility devices. The result? Isolation, unemployment, and loss of dignity. Through Crutches 4 Africa, these barriers are lifted. With mobility restored, individuals can return to school, find work, care for family, and reenter society with newfound independence.

A blueprint for engagement

Projects like Crutches 4 Africa demonstrate how the Rotary Action Plan comes to life. We saw alignment with all four pillars: increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement, and increasing our ability to adapt.

We built local partnerships to source devices from hospitals, physical therapy providers, nursing homes, and individuals. Volunteers across the district donated items, counted and prepped items, and finally packed thousands of items for shipment. The collection and coordination process became a dynamic, inclusive experience — open to everyone, not just Rotarians.

We engaged 14 non-Rotarians who were so inspired by the project that they joined us in hands-on service. A few have already expressed interest in joining their local clubs.

Visibility with a purpose

The project generated powerful visibility for Rotary — not through advertising, but through authentic, visible action. Social media posts reached over 17,000 viewers. Seven news stories showcased our work in print and online. Thousands of community members donated the items that went to positively impact the recipients, and they saw Rotary clubs doing this service work.  The image of Rotarians loading a container full of life-changing devices spoke louder than words. This kind of image reframes Rotary in the minds of community members — from an organization that meets to one that moves. And it encourages potential members to step forward and ask, “How can I help?”

Lessons for other clubs

You don’t need to ship a container overseas to replicate our success. Any project that meets a clear human need, invites broad participation, and tells a story can become a platform for growth.

Here’s what worked for us:

• Start with purpose: We weren’t just collecting crutches. We were restoring dignity.
• Make it tangible: Devices stacked in a warehouse are a powerful visual. Use photos and stories to bring your impact to life.
• Invite everyone: This was an easy “yes” for people of all ages and backgrounds. It didn’t require special skills, just heart and hands.
• Tell your story: We intentionally shared progress in local news outlets, on social media, and at club meetings. Visibility built momentum.
• Celebrate together: When the shipping container doors closed, we did not stop. It wasn’t just an ending. It was the beginning of what comes next. Our clubs and sponsors were thanked and we kicked off next year’s collection.

The Rotary multiplier

With more than 11,000 lives touched in Zambia, 11,000 pounds of waste diverted from U.S. landfills, and countless community conversations sparked here at home, Crutches 4 Africa proved the multiplying power of Rotary. Service, when paired with collaboration, storytelling, and vision, transforms not only recipients but those who serve.

We were proud to have led this effort. But we’re even prouder of how many others joined us. If  you’d like help starting your own mobility device collection, or to learn more about building impactful district-level projects, contact us at Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club.

Learn more about Crutches 4 Africa and its founder, Rotary member and polio survivor Dave Talbot.