10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation

 

In memory of Mary Hyjek

 

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1. CIFFA News Help Support the 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation During the Holiday Season Many of our Eastern Region CIFFA Members have been involved this year in supporting the 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation managed by Richard Masys. The Foundation's purpose is to purchase wheelchairs for children whose parents cannot afford them. It is set up across Canada as well as the United States. You might know Richard previously from the bowl-a-thons over the past 12 years within the Transportation Industry in aid of the Montreal Children's Hospital. Richard is now driving the 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation. With the Holiday season approaching quickly, it is an excellent opportunity to give a teddy bear to a child and at the same time donate to help purchase a wheelchair for another child in need. The bears go for $24.00 each CDN/US (where applicable). They can be purchased individually or by the box of 24. The picture of the teddy bear can be seen on the website.   For more information visit: http://10-4teddybear.com/ or contact Richard at (514) 696-2869 or e-mail hyjmas@sympatico.ca
	10-4, Teddy Bear Inspired by Red Sovine's old trucking song, Canadian Richard Masys moves to unload toys for charity Richard Masys, a resident of Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada, says Red Sovine's song "Teddy Bear" well illustrates truckers' generosity. Since 2002, when he heard Boxcar Willie's version of the ditty about a disabled boy who befriends a trucker over the CB, he's been asking truckers for their help in supporting the 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit he founded to raise money to buy wheelchairs for children who can't afford them. Masys worked for 12 years in the trucking industry coordinating U.S. cargo from Canada for Kingsway Transport and Coachman Transport. "Truckers have big hearts, and the truckers I know do a lot and don't get a lot of credit," Masys says. "Truckers work hard and they don't get respect." The song and his girlfriend, Mary Hyjek, who died last year from colon cancer, were the inspirations for starting the charity program. "My girlfriend was a teacher for 30 years in special education," he says. "Those kids are treated rough, and sometimes they can't afford wheelchairs they need." Masys says Hyjek requested before she died that he continue working toward starting the foundation. "She told me that if I was going to keep talking about it, I had to do it," he says. The program is in its early stages, and Masys is trying to raise awareness through e-mails and phone calls, and he may start using the CB and walkie-talkies to promote the wheelchair foundation. As an incentive to donate, he's bought 5,000 teddy bears he's currently selling. He will use the funds to help children in the same region the donation came from. The organization will use at least 50 percent of the proceeds from each bear toward new wheelchairs, with the remaining money going to expenses and the government. Each bear -- dressed in a red hat, blue overalls and a white T-shirt -- is $24, and order forms can be printed from www.10-4teddybear.com. --Kristie Busam
	The Leading Family Entertainment & Trucking Event in North America. Fergus, Ontario July 23-26, 2009
	10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation is run by Richard Masys as a tribute to his late partner Mary.   The Foundation's purpose is to purchase wheelchairs for children whose parents cannot afford them. It is set up across Canada as well as the United States.  As you go through this site you cannot help but feel sad, but through it, many children’s hearts are happier.   Not only are you buying a teddy bear to share with some one close to you, you are helping to provide some sense of freedom and independence to those who are most vulnerable.
For Canada's Professional Truckers	As seen in their August 2008 Newsletter click to enlarge
	West Island resident Richard Masys is continuing to fulfill a promise to his beloved companion, Mary Hyjek. For over 30 years, many of which were at the St. Raphael Center for children experiencing social, behavioural and learning difficulties, Mary dedicated her life as a Special Ed teacher. In 1999, she and Richard were so touched by a young boy's poignant story that they created a project called 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation to help children and their families in need of wheelchairs. Two years ago, Mary succumbed to her own long battle with cancer. One of her last requests was that the goals of their 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation be reached and completed. Although going well, Richard is still somewhat short of their goal and is asking the public for assistance. The child's story that started it all can be found at www.10-4teddybear.com where donations for the purchase of Teddy Bears can also be made.
	The 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation raises funds through the sale of teddy bears. The funds are used to purchase wheelchairs for youngsters from less fortunate families. This project is dedicated to the memory of Mary Hyjek who passed away on Thursday October 5th, 2006 succumbing to a lengthy battle with Cancer.
	Rachele Champagne of Bytown gives teddy bear a ride! Images courtesy of Joanne Ritchie
Women In Trucking	The 10-4 Teddy Bear Wheelchair Foundation raises funds through the sale of teddy bears. The funds are used to purchase wheelchairs for youngsters from less fortunate families. This project is dedicated to the memory of Mary Hyjek who passed away on Thursday October 5th, 2006 succumbing to a lengthy battle with Cancer. www.10-4teddybear.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ellen Voie President/CEO Member 10002-I Women In Trucking, Inc.
For Canada's Professional Truckers
O U R   F R I E N D S
Disabled get customized care and chairs at SEATS I had the pleasure of meeting Ed Shackles on July 8th., 2008 at his place of business. - Richard.	Alternative to rehabilitation centre. Chance meeting sparked Shackles's interest in helping handicapped sit comfortably. A chance meeting more than 15 years ago determined the professional direction that Ed Shackles has taken ever since. "I met a man who was an amputee with a full prosthesis," recalls Shackles, the founding owner of SEATS (Seating Excellence and Adaptive Therapeutic Systems). "That got me interested in how I could help other people with disabilities. --more--
G O O D   O L D   B O Y S
Boxcar Willie	All About Boxcar Willie Born in a small railroad shack along side the KD railroad in 1931 Lecil Travis Martin was the son of a farm and section hand for the railroad in Sterratt, Texas. The railroad provided a small 3 room tool shed which served as a house for them. From the front porch to the first set of railroad tracks was about six feet. This is where Lecil spent his childhood playing on the rail cars in front of his home.
Red Sovine	Red Sovine is "The King Of The Narrations." Woodrow Wilson Sovine was born on July 17, 1918, in Charleston, West Virginia. Red's mother taught him how to play the guitar. By the time he was 17 years old, Red was working professionally as an entertainer. In 1948 he formed his own band, "The Echo Valley Boys." By 1949, Red replaced Hank Williams, Sr. on the Louisiana Hayride after Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry.

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