Take a moment to think about what medical equipment you have stowed away… like those crutches collecting dust in that back closet. Now, consider dusting them off and donating them to a program that’s helping old medical equipment go green.
The Community Closet is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of Go-Getters Inc., an organization that offers mental health services in Salisbury, Md. The Community Closet collects donated medical equipment, such as hospital beds, canes and walkers, and refurbishes them to be lent out to those in need, at no cost.
“It was just an idea given to me by my director,” said Program Manager Gordon Howatt. “He saw the need in the community and gave me the idea and said, ‘Run with it.’ And that’s what I did.”
The program has been in existence since March 2009 and last fall received a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, to help support their work.
“We’ve been using that money to promote our program. Before that it was kind of a word-of-mouth — we would call different places, like churches and let them know that the program exists,” said Howatt. “Hopefully, our program will become more known and people will know that our program exists and they can make donations to it, whether it be monetary or medical devices.”
Howatt said the need for the recycled devices has been realized and that community response has been “overwhelming.”
“They think it’s great. Some of the events that I’ve attended, like community fairs or health clinics, everybody is really excited and says that this is a program that is really needed in our community. I’m surprised somebody hasn’t done it sooner.’”
He noted that although the program has been well received by the community, the need is so great that they are in constant need of more equipment, specifically wheelchairs and shower benches.
“That’s the sad thing,” he said. “I hate putting people on a waiting list and not having the items when they could really use them. Right now, we’re focusing on letting people know the program exists and we need donations. Then we can focus on advertising to those people who have a need. That way they’re not calling us and we don’t have the item.”
For those who wish to donate, Howatt says it’s tax deductible and the Community Closet will pick up items free of charge.
“So, not only are you making a donation to a great cause but you’re also getting a tax write-off.”
Once the items are collected, they are cleaned and refurbished as to ensure safety.
“We sanitize it, we clean it, we make sure that it’s fully functional and isn’t going to injure somebody. We definitely don’t want to loan something out that’s not going to serve the purpose for which it was meant.”
The items are, in essence, recycled, providing the community access to costly medical equipment without having to buy it brand new.
“We take these items and refurbish them or clean them up and give them to the next person who needs it,” said Howatt. “We’re quite green. We’re definitely keeping the cycle going. There is so much medical equipment out there. It’s just sitting in people’s closets and basements and garages. If they just knew, they could donate it to us and we could put it in the hands of somebody else. It saves someone from having to buy it or going to the Salvation Army or the Goodwill and
buying it.”
The items collected are posted weekly on the program’s Web site so any civic, social or faith-based organization may check availability. Organizations will also refer people to the Community Closet.
“We get referrals. We have partnered with some churches. They just refer people to us and they call us, and we do our best to get these items to them. If we have them in stock, of course.”
The items will be loaned out for six months and, following the six months, if the recipient is still in need, they will be given the equipment for another six months. Once a loan is completed, the equipment will then be collected to be given out to others who are in need.
The Community Closet serves the lower Eastern Shore, having gone as far north as St. Michael’s, Md., and as far south as eastern Virginia.
“We really don’t have any boundaries. If we have an item, then we’ll try to get it to them or the family will work with us to get it to that person who needs it.”
Howatt said the program is growing and that he hopes it will go further and bring much-needed medical equipment to those who are in need.
“It has been a very popular program. It’s growing – not as fast as I’d like it to – but we’re getting there. It’s really nice that we can put this in the hands of people at no cost.”
For more information, call (410) 546-5387 or visit www.thecommunitycloset.net.
