International Ministries Awards “Pillar of Hope” to Donors

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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We are proud to announce a new donor recognition award the “Pillar of Hope Award”. This special award recognizes the Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) donors who help to make the gift of mobility possible with their generous in-kind donations or other outstanding forms of support.  

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products Inc. American Converters Inc. and Menasha Corporation were recently recognized for their in-kind donations and presented with Pillar of Hope Awards.   

American Converters Inc. manufactures various types of foam for furniture and mattresses and is located in Fridley MN. HHIM uses foam donated by American Converters Inc. for wheelchair seating pads arm rests and head rests. Executive Vice President Tom Hall and Senior Buyer Andrew Harry were presented with the award. 

Menasha Packaging Company located in Lakeville MN specializes in designing and manufacturing cardboard boxes for shipping various products worldwide. It’s estimated that Menasha has contributed 100 000 boxes for wheelchairs to HHIM since 2000. These boxes help with logistical shipping obstacles and protect the wheelchairs in transit.  

Lastly the Naugahyde division of Uniroyal Global Engineered Products in Stoughton WI received a Pillar of Hope Award. Naugahyde is a composite knit fabric backing and expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic coating and is used by HHIM in manufacturing or repairing the arm rests head rests and seats of our wheelchairs. Uniroyal has been providing us with this material since around 2000.  

Finally at our Annual Dessert Benefit Auction in Sioux Falls  the award was presented to Elmer Karl  Owner and Founder of Karl’s TV and Appliance Stores. Over the past seven years Karl’s has engaged in HHIM wheelchair collection drives around the Midwest at their locations in South Dakota Wyoming North Dakota Nebraska Iowa and Minnesota.