Ever since its inception in 2014, the non-profit Mobility Mania has been fighting for “Accessibility for All” in Itasca County and their mission continues today. Recently, Mobility Mania was the recipient of the Essentia Health Community Engagement Grant, a grant that will be used to provide people in wheelchairs a transportation option on evenings and weekends when public transportation is not available. The goal of this program is to provide people in wheelchairs with an opportunity to participate in community, social and family engagements. The bigger mission is to help decrease isolation and disconnectedness that so many people in wheelchairs feel when access to accessible, affordable transportation is a barrier.
The Mobility Mania Voucher Program is a free service that can be used for wheelchair accessible transportation up to 4 hours at a time, for a person in a wheelchair and their caregiver, being able to use this service up to twice per month. An approximate service area includes a 20 miles radius from Grand Rapids, MN. The hours of operation for this program are Thursdays and Fridays from 4 PM to 10 PM, Saturdays from 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sundays from 8AM to 3 PM. This service is provided by the medical transportation specialists Samaritan Transport.
Rides should be scheduled at least a week ahead of time by calling Samaritan Transport at 218-301-8100.
This is a grant-supported program, but any future donations would help to increase Mobility Mania’s ability to help more people and keep the program going into the future. You can donate to Mobility Mania Accessibility for All through their fund at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation online at www.gracf.org, click on Donate Now and search for the Mobility Mania Accessibility for All Fund. You can also send or drop off donations at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation at 350 NW 1st Avenue, Suite E, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Foundation 218-999-9100.
