This past Veterans Day weekend, the Knights of Columbus, in cooperation with the Wheelchair Foundation, distributed 2,000 wheelchairs to needy veterans in four locations around the country, including the Los Angeles area.

Representing the Southland from San Diego to Santa Clarita, more than 200 knights showed up at the VA Hospital in West Los Angeles to hand out 100 wheelchairs.

"Our theme for this event was 'Serving Those Who Have Served,'" says Joe Salaiz who coordinated efforts in the SoCal region and who was the past president of the San Gabriel Valley Chapter.

Thousands of veterans, especially veterans of World War II, Korea or Vietnam, have developed non-combat related disabilities as they grow older but they are not eligible for VA-provided wheelchairs; many cannot afford to buy them.

The weekend event was a tremendous success, says Salaiz who described the handshakes, hugs and appreciative smiles given to the knights by the thankful veterans.

"It's the first time we have done this kind of wheelchair distribution to veterans and I know that our national office is planning on more," he says. "It's our way of saying to them that we appreciate them and thank them for what they have done for us."

For four years, the Knights have worked with the Wheelchair Foundation of Camarillo; their initial project began with a donation and distribution of 2,000 wheelchairs for victims of land mines and war in Afghanistan.

Since then, the Knights have distributed thousands more in the Middle East, the Philippines, Poland, Mexico and Ecuador.