A Catholic men’s fraternal society spent Friday making a difference for those who have limited mobility in Dallas County.

The Knights of Columbus’ Selma and San Antonio, Texas members donated more than 39 free wheelchairs to locals in need. Among those to receive a wheelchair were the Cahaba Center of Mental Health, Warren Manor Health and Rehabilitation, the Meal of Hope, Lighthouse Nursing Home and an individual in Sardis.

“There are a lot of people here in the area that are in dire need of wheelchairs, and they just fall below the line where they can afford to get something,” said Christopher Lewis, president of the American Wheelchair Mission. “It’s a very expensive medical device.”

The Knights of Columbus in San Antonio purchased the equipment through donations it received from “Wheelchair Sunday” parish drives. Members of the group in San Antonio and Selma helped deliver the chairs Friday with some assistance from representatives of Edmundite Missions.

Created in 2007, “Wheelchair Sunday” is a program in which Knights of Columbus councils, with the support of parish pastors, discuss the mobility needs of the less fortunate and explain the organization’s mission to help those individuals. Afterward, parishioners are given a chance to contribute to the cause.

This year enough money was raised to purchase at least 110 wheelchairs and 100 canes. American Wheelchair Mission said each wheelchair they deliver is expected to cost more than $500 at a medical supply store.

“People are telling us more often than not that it’s answered their prayer because they can’t go outside, they can’t be a part of the family and they have difficulty getting to doctor’s appointment,” Lewis said. “Even a simple thing like a cane, crutch or a walker, will very often make the difference.”

Friday was the second time the Knights of Columbus have delivered chairs in Selma with 2012 being the first. They plan to continue supplying them to the area in future years.

Edmundite Missions’ president Chad McEachern said many of the people who benefit from his nonprofit organization have limited mobility, so he appreciates the donations.

“Many of them just can’t get around, so having the wheelchair and being able to have access gives someone a sense of their dignity back not to have to be stuck in a chair or something like that,” McEachern said.

Carrie Bearden, the director of Cahaba Center of Mental Health’s Developmental Disabilities Services, spoke about how vital the wheelchairs will be when it’s time to take the patients on activities outside of the building.

“It’s becoming more challenging for some of the individuals who come to our program, so it will help us a lot to get them out in the community and to places outside in the summer,” Bearden said.