Stone Mountain Mayor Issues Proclamation Honoring Butchart for His Dedication to Those with Mobility Impairments
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), a non-profit organization providing over $10 million annually in durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies to the disabled community, honored its founder Ed Butchart on Friday, 11 July with a private celebration held at FODAC’s Stone Mountain offices. Local government officials, including Stone Mountain mayor Pat Wheeler, attended the reception for Butchart’s 79th birthday along with about 50 family members, friends, colleagues and associates.
Chris Brand, president and CEO of FODAC, opened the celebration by introducing a short film on FODAC’s history, tracing the journey of the organization from Butchart’s garage, where he collected and repaired donated wheelchairs for those who couldn’t afford them, to the current 65,000 square foot facility providing annually over $10 million in equipment and services to the mobility impaired in 46 states and 65 countries.
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Brief remarks were offered by Wheeler, who read a proclamation declaring the day “Ed Butchart Day” in Stone Mountain, in recognition of his lifetime dedication “to helping those with short- and long-term mobility impairments regain their mobility, independence and quality of life, enabling children and adults with disabilities to lead dignified and independent lives, with full access to community and careers.”
Cliff Snider, a representative from the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, announced Butchart’s induction into the 2013 class. A professional Santa for over 20 years, Butchart published “The Red Suit Diaries” in 2009 and its sequel, “More Pages from the Red Suit Diaries” in 2011. During his career, he served as FODAC’s Santa for its annual “Breakfast with Santa” fundraiser.
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Butchart then spoke briefly to the crowd, thanking everyone for the honors and recognizing those who had helped him during his life. Several attendees then took the mic and shared favorite memories of Butchart, thanking him for his contributions to themselves and the community.
The reception closed with everyone joining in an affectionate rendition of "Happy Birthday," and sharing the blue and white birthday cake brought in for the occasion.
FODAC helps people with injuries and disabilities of all ages regain their mobility, independence and quality of life. The non-profit organization provides more than $10 million annually in refurbished home medical equipment (HME) and home modifications in Georgia and across the United States, all at little or no cost to the recipients. A pioneer in re-use, FODAC keeps 200 tons of materials out of landfills each year by refurbishing and reissuing over 400 HME items every month, and is recognized nationally for best practices. For more information, visit www.fodac.org.