[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/MacCares09.jpg” caption=”Bob Bernstein, founder of Mac Cares, presents Audrey Hicks, director of MacWheelers, with a cheque for $7,000. Photo by Christine Palka.”]Mac Cares, a new student club focused on assisting disabled people, recently donated $7,000 to the MacWheelers, a specialized fitness and wellness program for people with spinal cord injury run by the kinesiology department.

The funds received by MacWheelers will be used to purchase a Nu Step, a special piece of exercise equipment that allows people with paralysis to exercise their whole body – an important method to keep those with spinal cord injury fit and healthy.

“I was pleasantly surprised when Mac Cares approached me and asked to co-ordinate fundraising efforts,” said Audrey Hicks, director of the MacWheelers and a kinesiology professor. “To run the program we rely heavily on donations and fundraising because the participants only pay a small registration fee.”

Mac Cares was established in September by fourth-year sociology student Bob Bernstein, who recognized the importance of students giving back to their communities – in particular, by supporting people with disabilities.

“I'd been browsing the list of MSU clubs and noticed a deficit of clubs that specialized in raising funds for disabled people,” said Bernstein on his motivation to start the club. “I knew many students were passionate about this cause, so I established Mac Cares. Over the past months the club has grown in numbers and we collectively chose to fundraise for the MacWheelers.”

With a motto of “recognize abilities…create possibilities” Mac Cares chose the MacWheelers to be the recipient of this year's fundraising. The group conducted a variety of small fundraising endeavours including a bake sale and t-shirt sales, however the main focus was a charity gala held in February that raised the majority of the funds. Over 200 people attended the charity gala and enjoyed an evening of excellent dining, live piano music and a silent auction.

Mac Cares' goal isn't just to raise funds for those with disabilities; a key priority for club members is to foster awareness in the McMaster and Hamilton communities, which includes volunteering in rehabilitation centres, lobbying for better accessibility and encouraging equality and possibility for those with disabilities.

For more information on Mac Cares, please contact Bob Bernstein at bob__bernstein@hotmail.com. To inquire about the MacWheelers program, please contact Audrey Hicks at hicksal@mcmaster.ca.