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Crutches 4 Kids Out In Full Force At Westchester Knicks Game

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- There are more than 50 million children in the world who need crutches but have no access to them.

Crutches 4 Kids at a Westchester Knicks game at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Crutches 4 Kids at a Westchester Knicks game at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Crutches 4 Kids, in association with the Hospital For Special Surgery, was collecting donated crutches at the Westchester Knicks game Saturday at the Westchester County Center in White Plains against Bakersfield (Calif.).

"We ship our crutches to 20 different impoverished countries," Executive Director Melody Woolford said. "We are looking to spread the word and inform people about the need for crutches."

Woolford said many people have used crutches buried in their closet that they don't know what to do with.

"They can be re-gifted for someone who really needs them," Woolford said.

Emil Calcanno, a director of sports marketing for the Hospital For Special Surgery, said Crutches 4 Kids was a good charity to partner with.

"You don't realize how valuable your crutches can be," Calcanno said. "This is a great way to give back."

The Hospital For Special Surgery is the official hospital of the New York Knicks.

"They know how important mobility is," Calcanno said.

Ken Shubin Stein, the co-founder and chairman of Crutches 4 Kids, said he was excited to work with the Knicks and raise awareness. 

"No matter how many crutches are donated, it's important to raise awareness," Shubin Stein said. 

Shubin Stein said the amount of children who need crutches is equivalent to the number of school aged children in the United States.

"Imagine if no one could walk to school," Shubin Stein said. "The good news is that this is a large public health need that is totally solvable. 

The Hospital For Special Surgery collects more than 25,000 crutches for Crutches 4 Kids each year, many from its location in White Plains.

Crutches 4 Kids also collects crutches from Columbia Orthopedics in Tarrytown. For more information, visit www.crutches4kids.org

 

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