St. Louis HELP Board Chairman Joe Hayworth Recaps the Organization's Positive Community Impact

July 6, 2016, St. Louis, Missouri…Joe Hayworth, board chairman of the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (St. Louis HELP), a non-profit organization that loans home health equipment for free to anyone who needs it, announces St. Louis HELP’s new service expansions and positive fiscal impact.

In a message to the greater St. Louis community, Hayworth reports:

“Our Board of Directors’ primary responsibility is to make the best possible use of every dollar to which we are entrusted. We appreciate every corporation, every foundation, every civic and community organization and every individual who has found us worthy of their financial support.

“I am pleased to note that for every dollar we received as a donation in 2015, we turned that dollar into $10.67 of benefit to the community with our free loan program. This is a direct result of our efficient operational model, our incredible volunteer organization and staff, and our dedication to stewardship and our mission.

“We work diligently to be good stewards of every home health equipment item donated to St. Louis HELP. I extend a huge “Thank You” to each person and to each group that has donated medical equipment to our program. We are extremely grateful for each item we receive.

“If we are not able to repair a used item to the level that makes it fit for use – if it’s not good enough for your grandmother to use, it’s not available for loan -- we recycle as much equipment and material as possible. In 2015 we recycled more than 60 tons of unusable component parts.

“Including the items we loaned, those that we sent to partner organizations for re-use in other parts of the world, and the material that we recycled, in 2015 we kept approximately 150 tons of material from being deposited in landfills.

“When we began this organization eight years ago we did not anticipate the positive environmental impact we would generate. We now take that responsibility very seriously. Thanks to the hard work, encouragement and support of many people and organizations, 2015 was a phenomenal year for St. Louis HELP. Already in 2016, we have launched two, new service capabilities at our lending warehouse in Olivette.

New Pediatric Space and Women’s Center

“Thanks to an anonymous donor in St. Louis, we have designated a private area in our warehouse for pediatric equipment. It provides more privacy for children and their caregivers to try different items, such as wheelchairs and pediatric standers. We have seen growth in pediatric recipients as a result of this new space. I am pleased to note that people and families often visit us for one item and leave with several.

“In addition, we recently opened The Women’s Center in our warehouse to offer free loans of wigs, bras and prosthetic breasts for women who are victims of breast cancer.

“The Women’s Center mission is to help women who have suffered from cancer, related treatments or surgery keep their dignity and self-esteem with free loans of crucial items,” says our executive director Laura Cannon-Singer.

“All items in The Women’s Center are in excellent condition; otherwise, we would not make them available,” Laura says. It is situated in a privately screened-off area near a restroom, and is staffed by a St. Louis HELP female volunteer. The Center is equipped with a conversion chart for sizing prosthetic breasts and prosthetic support bras for correct use.

“In addition to The Women’s Center and pediatric equipment, our warehouse contains hundreds of home health equipment items including manual and electric wheelchairs; scooters; walkers, crutches, canes; hospital beds; portable commodes; elevated toilet seats; lift chairs — and more — all freely loaned by St. Louis HELP at no cost or obligation for as long as people need it,” Laura says.

“Our lending warehouse is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment. Please call 314 567 4700 to schedule a visit.”

“All equipment donations to St. Louis HELP are tax deductible. We collect about 11,000 items of donated home health equipment annually in our twice-a-year equipment drives and via donations of equipment that people bring to our warehouse throughout the year.

“St. Louis HELP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For free loans of home health equipment or to donate health equipment you don’t need, please call St. Louis HELP at 314 567 4700 or see our website http://www.stlhelp.org.

We deeply thank you for your support.

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