Wheelchair for Mike Tellef

Mike Tellef is a man who lives for connection and community. Peoria has been home for the Arizona native for almost fifty years. He began with Peoria Police, then later was the Public Information Officer for Peoria Police and Fire. He was the face on the air calming the
community in a crisis. He was Officer Friendly, who was known for stopping to watch the local little league games. He was a fixture, a positive presence, and a man who worked seven days a
week for his entire career. He loved his job so much, he worked until he contracted an illness that almost took his life, and then later until his hip gave out.
His hip infection forced them to remove his left hip, and Mike was confined to an assisted living home. However, a Facebook message to his high school sweetheart led to a meeting 49 years later. 
They fell right back into love. Mike proposed. Melissa said yes. 

Now, they are preparing to move in together and Mike needs an electric wheelchair to get around, or else he will be confined to a bed for life. The insurance company has required him to pay a large portion of this cost. In addition, it needs to be specially configured as Mike's leg is now fused in an awkward position. 

Without this wheelchair, there will be no quality of life for the man who gave over 35 years of his life to his community. 

In fact, there was a news story about his love story recently: 
Disabled former police, fire employee awaits opportunities By Andrea Estrada, Peoria Times Staff Writer 

We are humbly asking that you help raise the copayment needed to get Mike his wheelchair. Anything above and beyond his copayment will go towards his ongoing medical needs. Let's give back to the man who gave so much. 

Thank you. 

Lisa Becker
(his soon-to-be stepdaughter!)