|
1995 |
Reverend Larry Hills, missionary
in Zaire (now Congo), Africa, told Reverend Mel West of the great
need for three-wheeled, hand-cranked wheelchairs for victims of
polio and landmines. Mel contacted Earl Miner, product designer
and long-time friend and mission partner; and the process of the
prototype design began. |
|
1996 |
When prototype development
was ready for field testing, four were shipped to Larry Hills
with the instructions to "put these in the worst place you can
find, and see if they pass the test." Larry did, and the
PETs did. Shipments began to Zaire, where Larry had set
up a place to receive the frames, put on the wooden beds, and
distribute them. Later the operation moved to Zambia.
PET Zambia at New Life Center
Delbert Groves, United Methodist Missionary
Kitwe, Zambia, Africa |
|
1996 |
Rodney Miner in Darby, Montana,
began to build and ship PETs and steel frame parts mostly to Congo/Zaire,
where they locally add the wooden bed and then distribute the finished
PET. |
|
1997 |
Bishop Machado of Mozambique
saw the PET and requested a project there. Others did likewise.
With limited funds and operating out of the West's garage, and a
room at Community United Methodist Church, the project grew. |
|
1998 |
Tom Algiere, shop teacher,
was sent by the United Methodist Church to Mozambique where he set
up two PET production shops. |
|
2000 |
Reverend Mel West set up
a production, receiving and shipping facility in Columbia, Missouri
USA. The PET Place facility receives parts made by volunteers
and donated by businesses. Then the PETs are assembled and
shipped to various areas of need around the world. |
|
2000 |
Reverend Larry Hills set
up a production shop in Penny Farms Retirement Center located in
Penny Farms, Florida USA to focus on mobility needs in Haiti.
PET FL - Penney Farms
Larry and Laura Hills
P O Box 919
Penney Farms, FL 32079
904-284-5495
petflorida@bellsouth.net
www.petflorida.org |
| 2003 |
Jake and Gwen Royall, members of First Christian Church,
set up a production shop in Luling, Texas USA.
PET Texas
Jake and Gwen Royall
265 FM 86 #15
Luling, TX 78648
830-875-2972
www.pettexas-luling.org |
| 2004 |
Over 1,000 PETs are produced and shipped from across the US. PET
International is incorporated.
New shops:
PET TN - Murfreesboro
Freddie Brown and group
452 Gresham Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
615-896-56408
PET Tampa, Florida
Jeff and April Sukup
P.O.Box 2688
Riverview, FL 33568-2688
Missouri - Southwest
Jim Wrinkle
16392 Lawrence 1180
Aurora, MO 65605
wrinkifs@sofnet.com |
| 2005 |
PET New York - East Jewett
Don and Carol Muth
1008 Country Rd. 40
East Jewett, NY 12424
518-734-3908
PET Washington - Spokane
15123 Little Spokane Drive
Spokane, WA 99208
509-466-3425
PET KS - Moundridge
Kirby Goering
320 West Ruth Street
Moundridge, KS 67107
petkansas@hotmail.com
|
| 2006 |
PET FL - Jacksonville
Tom Woodard
4341 Savannah
Jacksonville, FL 32210
904-771-0456
petfloridajax@bellsouth.net
PET TX – San Antonio
Sid Martin
10416 Robin Road #2
Helotes, TX 78023
210-695-2862
legrand910@sbcglobal.net
www.petsanantonio.mysite.com
PET - Cape Town, South Africa
Pastor John Pascoe
3 Choir St. Woodlands, Mitchell's Plain
Cape Town, Rep South Africa 7785
johnpascoe@mweb.co.za |
| 2007 |
PET Mexico – Nuevo Progresso
Pastor Ruben Hudtler
pastorhudtler@hotmail.com
PET - IA - Hawarden |
| 2008 |
PET MO – Columbia (first production site) assembles 35 PETs a week. New shops continue to come into operation around the world. |
