I read with interest and dismay the story describing the end of the generous "Gift of Mobility Wheelchair Giveaway Program." Its founder and operator for 14 years, Philip Pavone, owner of AZ Pawn in Norwich, can no longer operate the program due to personal health issues.

My first thought was that such a program could be combined with workforce training programs at the local technical high schools. The types of skills (electronic, electrical, and mechanical) to repair and refurbish this equipment should match up very closely with many industrial job requirements.

Perhaps use these as student skill demonstration projects and match the repaired equipment to people in desperate need of mobility. This could work as a way to pay forward taxpayer support for the technical high schools.

John King

Niantic