2026 Seating Clinics - Dates are set!

March > 14th through 23rd - Back to Chiapas - Another beautiful destination - the distribution will conclude on the 20th - Lisa and I will be extending through the 23rd to take in some of the incredible scenery and enjoy the colonial charm of many surrounding villages.

April > 5th through 11th - Back in the saddle with our friends from Fundacion La Vida in Portoviejo, Ecuador.  This marks our fourth (maybe fifth) project in Portoviejo.  Wonderful partners - unfortunately (I have said this before) some of the most challenging kids that we have encountered in our efforts to provide mobility to the disabled poor.  Labor of love folks - no nifty pictures on this one - but, eternal reward to those willing to embrace the rigor of service to these tough cases!

May > 9th through the 17th - Oaxaca, Mexico - Incredible - vibrant art colony, charming zocalo - Pueblo Magico (one of the best) - wonderful to be returning to this city of magic (and the best mole’ anywhere on the planet).   It has been several long years since Hope Haven West has partnered with Rotary - Guelaguetza Rotary - all female club (everything Fred Astaire accomplished - Ginger Rogers did backwards - in heels).  If you have not experienced Oaxaca - don’t delay - this is your chance - get on the bus.

Tickets have been purchased for all of these service/adventure opportunities.  You heard me correctly, wheelchairs have been delivered (are awaiting teams arrival), flights have been purchased and our partners are prepared to arrange ground transportation and make hotel reservations.

Now - pull your chair up real close to the screen - let’s have a chat…

Uncle Lonny is about as low key as it comes to shaking down donors - once in awhile, I remind everyone that doing all this shipping and purchasing of specialty wheelchairs comes at a cost (like about $40,000 to $50,000 per container).  Lot’s of charities are constantly putting together fundraisers, auctions, dropping balls out of helicopters, dinners and such.  Hope Haven West prefers to limit our “ask” to one event per year - yes - wait for it…  The infamous - Uncle Lonny’s Birthday Bash. 

We do our best to schedule this far in advance - gives everyone an opportunity to include Hope Haven West in year end giving and enough time to block off the date.  June 26th -

This year Uncle Lonny Presents is bringing the "Paul Thorn Band” back to the beautiful State Theater in downtown Modesto (by popular demand).  If you have not experienced a Paul Thorn concert (sucker is just funny - laugh your butt off) mark your calendar today - those who will be returning - bring a friend (hey, bring a swarm of friends).  Poster will be generated soon, and of course we will once again be calling a few of our very best friends to offer the deal of a lifetime (your logo on our world class poster advertising this event).  

Are you still with me?  Remember, Hope Haven West is a bona fide 501(c) (3) - legitimate, certified charity (number below).  But - and we’re downright proud of this - we remain a 100% Operation - everything we collect going directly to provide the gift of mobility to the disabled poor.  

• No Salaries
• No Expense Accounts
• No Fund Raising Expenses

So - how does that work?  Well, first - Hope Haven West has benefactors who provide all of the expenses associated with operating the charity - this way all of the money that we receive from our generous donors - goes directly to providing wheelchairs to needy kids.  Second - no salaries, zilch, nada, none - everyone is a volunteer (including yours truly) nobody gets a salary - plus - everybody pays their own way (again, myself included).  No free junkets to exotic ports of call - we all pony up for our own flights and hotel expenses (which humbles me to consider that 120 plus volunteers annually make that sacrifice to join Hope Haven West in providing this incredible gift to those who struggle with disabilities).

So there - money well invested, money well spent.  Now - I will hound you shamelessly to get on the bus and join a team to experience this incredible surge of satisfaction that comes from giving your time and treasure to help “the least of these” - but, shaking you down for shekels - not so much.  Enjoy the holidays!  

Waging Heavy Peace,

Uncle Lonny

Hope Haven West

Hope Haven West 501(c)(3) #46-1465670