O’Fallon police, community donate accessible bus to Special Olympics Illinois
O'Fallon police, community donate accessible bus to Special Olympics Illinois KSDK.com
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Donation of Wheelchair-Accessible Bus to Special Olympics Illinois- Region J
At approximately $25,000, it was the single largest donation the O’Fallon Fraternal Order of Police has ever made.
Background
O’Fallon, Illinois, police officers and the O’Fallon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #198 donated a bus with a wheelchair lift to the local Special Olympics Illinois- Region J organization, Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children (PTOEC), after the group was in dire need of handicap accessible transportation.
Challenges Faced by PTOEC
A spokesperson with the O’Fallon Police Department said PTOEC’s vehicles were in poor condition and were not wheelchair accessible. They added that PTOEC is donation-based and not state-funded, which means their budget did not allow them to make the necessary upgrades.
Commitment to Special Olympics
Officers have been active in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics for a long time.
Building Relationships
Over the years, a spokesperson said Tony Hill and Jim Morgan have been athletes who volunteer at all of their fundraising events and the members grew close with both.
Identifying a Need
The group took Tony to his first Bocce practice with PTOEC and while they were there, they met with athletic director Tara Edwards. Edwards said one of the biggest needs was a reliable way to transport.
Generous Donation
At its January 2023 meeting, members of the O’Fallon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #198 unanimously approved the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle as a gift for PTOEC.
Unveiling of the Bus
The bus was unveiled on September 15 at the O’Fallon Police Department.
Community Effort
They said this was a community effort.
Significance of the Donation
Coming in at approximately $25,000, it was the single largest donation the FOP has ever made.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the donation of a bus with a wheelchair lift to the Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children (PTOEC), an organization that supports individuals with disabilities. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also connects to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
The article highlights the need for handicap accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities. By providing a bus with a wheelchair lift, the donation contributes to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to quality essential healthcare services (SDG 3.8). Additionally, it promotes the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities by enabling their participation in community activities (SDG 10.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of individuals with disabilities provided with accessible transportation
- Improvement in the condition and accessibility of vehicles used by organizations supporting individuals with disabilities
- Level of financial support received by donation-based organizations
The article mentions that the donation of the bus with a wheelchair lift addresses the poor condition and lack of wheelchair accessibility in PTOEC’s vehicles. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of providing accessible transportation and improving the condition of vehicles used by organizations supporting individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the article highlights that PTOEC is donation-based, indicating the importance of financial support for such organizations.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines. | – Number of individuals with disabilities provided with accessible transportation – Improvement in the condition and accessibility of vehicles used by organizations supporting individuals with disabilities |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Number of individuals with disabilities provided with accessible transportation – Level of financial support received by donation-based organizations |
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Source: ksdk.com
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