Shop: New Construction

MEL AND BARBARA WEST CART CENTER

We moved in July 2020 and are now fully in cart production & shipping mode.

Rendering of new Mel and Barbara West Cart Center.

Warehouse waiting for outgoing shipments 2017.

Even before construction, the facility already has a name, the “Mel and Barbara West Cart Center.” Longtime board member Jim Wall noted the designation was only fitting.

“Estimates indicate as many as 70 million people around the world have lost the use of their legs due to landmine injury, polio or other illnesses,” Wall explained.

“The Wests started Mobility Worldwide 25 years ago, committed to providing mobility to the leg-disabled. Now there are 22 workshops around the country and two in Africa, and volunteers have built and shipped over 80,000 carts to 106 countries. Naming this new building for Mel and Barbara is a way to honor their vision while reminding us all to commit ourselves, as they did, to serving those in need around the world.”

Mel and Barbara West

The Container Project and The Sewing Project will also move to the new building, continuing the close working relationships of all three humanitarian teams. (Pictured warehouse: front row contains boxes of clothes, vitamins, and more waiting for Nicaragua.) The new workshop will also include improved office spaces and a conference room, along with a paved parking area.

Perhaps best of all, funding for purchase of the land and construction of the building was provided by very generous benefactors.

“A gift was bequeathed in Herbert Sauer’s will several years ago, which provided the seed money,” Mobility Worldwide MO – Columbia Board President Danielle Harrison said. “The balance was provided by Judy and Jim Wall, who saw a need and wished to support Mobility’s efforts to expand and provide even more carts every year. As a result of these generous gifts, we will no longer have to pay rent, which means that monthly expense can now be reallocated to building more carts.”

Board members Dennis Canote and Dell Epperson review the plans for the new Mobility Cart workshop with Mike Hemme of Coil Construction (center).

25 Years ago Mel West founded Mobility Worldwide to help provide mobility to those unable to walk throughout the world. He enlisted many others over the years to help develop and fulfill his vision. In the early years his neighbors often heard him late at night building Mobility Carts in his garage. Today, Mel Inspired us with his wisdom and commitment to help others at the groundbreaking for the Mel and Barbara West Cart Center—the new headquarters for Mobility Worldwide MO – Columbia which has now grown to over 24 locations in the USA and throughout the world.

It was a great day with 69 in attendance: Mobility Worldwide MO – Columbia volunteers, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and other supporters present to help continue the mission of Mobility Worldwide MO – Columbia to serve and help others. Thank you Mel and Barbara West for the example of Service Above Self you provide to all of us!! – Glen Ehrhardt, Board Trustee

Grants are received for items outside the construction budget.

We are grateful to these organizations for helping our new shop be even better.

The Stafford Family Charitable Trust – Establishing a welding shop in the new workshop will become a reality, thanks to a generous gift of over $26,000 from The Stafford Family Charitable Trust.  To date, all welding of the frames and metal components of the Mobility Cart has been offsite, often in the garages and barns of dedicated volunteers we call ‘parts makers’.

Boone Electric Community Trust – A generous grant of $4,000 has been received from the Boone Electric Community Trust to assist with the installation of a fire/smoke/security system in the new facility.  Longtime supporters of Mobility, the gift from the Trust will protect our volunteers and facility, resulting in a safe and secure working environment. Press release.

PET Mobility Project Foundation – Thanks to a grant of almost $14,000 from the PET Mobility Project Foundation, pallet storage racks will be installed which will significantly increase storage capacity.  The goal is to increase production while providing the ability to distribute donated parts to other shops around the country and consolidate carts for more frequent shipments.

Moving in begins July 2020.

We obtained a temporary occupancy permit.  After many truckloads and a lot of hot hours, we have moved the Mobility Cart shop, warehouse and other missions.  The office area is now completed, and we plan to move all the files, office supplies and equipment next.  There is a lot of activity going on organizing and setting up the work areas.

Cart production and shipping begins August 2020.

We are in full operation with little tweaks in process.  Supplies are arriving and Mobility Carts are being shipped out.

Mel & Barbara West Cart Center