WILL2WALK IS A MINDSET
ACCOUNTABILITY PERSEVERANCE GRIT OWNERSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Designed to provide funding to individuals with a spinal cord injury and in need of equipment or services to support their passion for a healthy, active and independent lifestyle.
Amanda Perla
AWARDED $2,200
Amanda was awarded a scholarship for a new ActiveAid Evolution Series Rehab Shower Chair. Her severe spasms made it a necessity to have a safe chair to bathe. During her senior year in High School, Amanda was injured in a car accident.
Read Amanda's Full Story
Joe Jackson
AWARDED $3,500
Joseph Jackson of Phoenix, Arizona was awarded a scholarship for a new, competitive rugby chair. Joseph plays rugby with the Phoenix Heat. At age 16, Joseph suffered a football injury that left him an incomplete c6 quadriplegic.
Read Joe's Full Story
Erick Hernandez
Awarded $5,000
Erick was awarded a scholarship to complete a month-long, intense rehabilitation exercise program at SCI-FIT (SCI Functional Integrated Therapy). Erick was injured in a diving accident in 2010 that resulted in C4-C5 incomplete fracture and paralysis.
Read Erick's Full Story
"I know that we can empower those with SCIs to regain control of their lives and pursue their interests through education and perseverance."
~ Rich Hamill, Founder
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Rich Hamill was injured in an automobile accident at age 18. Throughout his journey of living with a spinal cord injury, Rich has been steadfast in his belief that a positive attitude and healthy body are of utmost importance for people with SCIs. He founded Will2Walk in 2008 in order to make his dream of inspiring others with spinal cord injuries a reality.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
All of us share a common belief that people with spinal cord injuries can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Rich Hamill
Rich was injured in an automobile accident at age 18. Throughout his journey of living...
President
"I know that we can empower those with SCIs to regain control of their lives and prepare for the cure through education and perseverance." ~Rich
Rich was injured in an automobile accident at age 18. Throughout his journey of living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), Rich has been steadfast in his belief that a positive attitude and healthy body are of utmost importance for people with SCIs. He founded Will2Walk in 2008 in order to make his dream of inspiring others with spinal cord injuries a reality. Today, Rich is a Senior Claim Adjuster for Nationwide Insurance Company. He and his wife, Alesha, have twin girls, Kennedy and Sydney.
Click Here to read Rich's story.
Jennifer Chaillie
Jen sustained a spinal cord injury in a diving accident in 2011. As a former...
Vice President
"I feel honored to be a part of the Board of Directors and join such an amazing group of people. I am dedicated to helping and supporting those who have been impacted by an SCI, and showing them they are still able to live a good life."~Jen
Jennifer Chaillie sustained a spinal cord injury in a diving accident in 2011. As a former marathon runner, she is dedicated to staying physically active and now enjoys hand-cycling, swimming, weight lifting, and kayaking. She thrives on trying new things such as repelling, hang gliding, race car driving, skydiving and other fun adventures. Jennifer's motto is âLife isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Jennifer has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University, and has a passion for helping others and making sure no one gets left behind. She has worked in the behavioral health field for ten years, and is currently a therapist specializing in treating children who had been victims of abuse. A native of Arizona, Jennifer resides in Tempe.
Julie MacLean
Julie is the Executive Director of Will2Walk Foundation, prior to joining our organization, she has...
Executive Director
“It is such a pleasure to be part of the Will2Walk team! It has been a dream to work for a non-profit organization and to finally be able to use my skills and talents to help others is an awesome feeling. I am excited to help the mission of Will2Walk Foundation grow and be able to support more individuals each year living with a traumatic spinal cord injury.” - Julie
Julie is the Executive Director of Will2Walk Foundation, prior to joining our organization, she has been an avid volunteer for various non-profit organizations while working part-time as an office manager and bookkeeper. She continues to support her husband through his many deployments while raising their five children.
She lives in Holly Springs, NC with her husband Brian, and children Anna, Sammy, Bella, Jesse and William. Julie enjoys exploring the beaches and mountains of NC, biking and watching her kids play lots of soccer, baseball, football and softball games!
Chris Schubel
Chris Schubel is a real estate specialist working for the National Park Service in Stroudsburg,...
Secretary
"I'm excited to be a part of the Will2Walk team, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to support the SCI community in living active, fit and independent lives." ~ Chris
Chris Schubel is a real estate specialist working for the National Park Service in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. He primarily focuses on market analysis and historic building preservation. Chris formerly worked as a business development specialist, real estate analyst and database manager for a corporate real estate brokerage firm in Chicago. He got his start in nonprofit work as a Peace Corps Volunteer living and working in Ethiopia. There he worked with at-risk populations in developing skills in sustainable food production, program design & management and business development.
Chris manages Will2Walk's donor and volunteer database and assists the organization any other way he can.
Open Position
Currently seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to join our Board.
...Treasurer
Currently seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to join our Board. Contact us today!
Dawn MacLean
Dawn is a corporate communications consultant for Nationwide Insurance, working on internal and external communications...
Director of Communications
“As a previous Board Member who needed to recharge, I am excited to once again support the impacts Will2Walk makes in the SCI community and get to experience first-hand how donor funds are used to help those with SCI’s live life to the fullest by providing equipment, services, educational funds and most of all, hope.” - Dawn
Dawn MacLean is a corporate communications consultant for Nationwide Insurance, working on internal and external communications for technology projects.
Dawn has a B.A. degree in Marketing from Lewis University. She lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband, Brad, and children Kayla & Jake. Dawn enjoys exploring Arizona via RV, spending time with family across the country and playing sand volleyball.
MISSION
To keep people with spinal cord injury (SCI) active, fit & independent
We aim to inspire people with SCI to achieve the highest quality of life possible, keeping a “will2walk” through life with the challenges SCI presents to individuals, families and communities.
EDUCATION
Programs and services that enhance the lives of individuals and families impacted by SCI
AWARENESS
Community outreach to help advance the cause for people and families impacted by SCI
RESEARCH
Where and when possible, contribute to the work being done to find a cure for SCI
Founded in 2008, the Will2Walk Foundation was the vision of President Rich Hamill, who sustained a spinal cord injury in an auto accident in 1992. Will2Walk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and funded 100% from personal donations, event proceeds, and corporate grants.
Guidestar Gold Certified
The Will2Walk Foundation has been given the Gold Seal of Transparancy by Guidestar, an organization commited to revolutionizing philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving. The Gold seal validates that Will2Walk is committed to complete transparancy about our operations, programs, financials, accomplishments and more.