Local medical lending program repurposes used medical equipment

Did you know that Good News Project, a 35-year non-profit in Wausau, operates a medical lending closet? The Health Equipment Lending Program (known as the H.E.L.P. Closet) has been offering used medical equipment to people in our community since 2005.

How do they acquire the gently used medical equipment to lend out? Through donations from people in our community.

With one full-time manager and 5-7 volunteers each week, all donated items get safety checked, cleaned and sanitized, then placed into the showroom, ready for customers. With a visit to the H.E.L.P. closet, people can find the equipment they need and take it home with them. A modest donation per piece (which keeps the program operating) is suggested, which allows use of the equipment for up to six months. When finished, the items need to be returned for the next person to use.

As the word of the program has spread, there are currently some donation shortages… commodes, bath benches, knee scooters and wheelchairs. Along with walkers, canes, metal hospital beds, etc., these items can be dropped off at their warehouse at 1106 Fifth St. in Wausau during the week. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please call Toni (HELP Manager) if more information is needed, 715-843-5985.

If you live in the city of Wausau, and would like to donate your items during the Clean It Up Wausau, large item drop-off event, the H.E.L.P. closet will be present Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, collecting from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the east end of East Chellis Street, near the Yard Waste Site.