The Pittsburgh Steelwheelers are a non-profit organization [501(C)(3)] providing opportunities for physically challenged athletes who desire to participate in competitive sports.   It provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to achieve the sense of well-being and fulfillment that they once enjoyed prior to their injuries.  The programs offered by the Steelwheelers give athletes an opportunity to experience the competitiveness, camaraderie and physical fitness that comes along with these team and sports. 

In order for the Steelwheelers to accomplish this mission, financial assistance through various fundraising endeavors is essential.   The money that is raised is put to good use in helping to fund the travel and equipment costs of competition for the wheelchair basketball, rugby and handcycling teams and to enable the organization to attract new participants by purchasing needed equipment.  Handcycles can cost around $10,000, rugby chairs are also around $10,000 and basketball chairs are nearly $6,000. 

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In addition to helping offset these equipment expenses, donations also help with costs associated with traveling to events and also with hosting events, such as the Steelwheelers annual Steel City Slam Quad Rugby Tournament.

The Steelwheelers is relatively small organization, and one of the only stand alone disabled sports groups of its kind in the country, which makes fundraising very challenging.   However, because it is a smaller, local organization, these donations have a direct and lasting impact on our programs.