As a Board member and volunteer at St. Louis HELP, I've seen firsthand how this simple program can make significant differences in the lives of the uninsured of the greater St. Louis community. Program participants come to HELP after worrying and stressing over their health situation, expecting more bureaucratic obstacles. They leave relieved and comforted with useful medical equipment and aids for themselves and their caregivers - all at no cost, no deposit, and no hassle!
Review from Guidestar
The first drive for donations was held on a very hot summer day. Volunteers were situated in many places, often parking lots of stores or municipalities, to receive items. Ms. Cannon had no idea how well this drive would be but arranged for volunteers to staff the locations and having trucks on site to receive the donations. The response was overwhelming! People coming with donations were pleased to be able to contribute to others in need of the equipment that they no longer using. Much of the equipment was practically new. Along with the supplies many made small donations to St. Louis Health. This program was the dream of Laura Cannon who spearheaded the birth of this great charity. She continues her dedication and energy with no limitations. This program assists individuals and has helped direct much of the large equipment donated to areas at home and abroad (even arranging for technicians to go to the locations to instruct users). This is the heart of a wonderful charity and
I have helped with equipment drives in the past. Ms. Cannon began this business with the dream of helping the under/uninsured obtain equipment they could not normally afford. One of the most remarkable things about her service is that she works from donations ONLY, and often times doesn't get those from people recieving her services. Yet, she continues to supply. Her overall care for recycling goods is something that I don't know anyone else to have done in the healthcare business. A few examples include, but are not limited to: - St. Louis HELP provided over $540,000 of home medical equipment to the uninsured, the elderly, the poor and disabled – all without charge or fee to the recipient! - St. Louis HELP served 2,500 uninsured, underinsured, disabled and low income program recipients. - St. Louis HELP received donations of over 5,000 pieces of home medical equipment (45% lent to HELP recipients,17% forwarded to developing nations, 16% in current inventory and 22% responsibly recycled) - St. Louis HELP diverted 90 tons of unwanted home medical equipment out of area landfills. - St. Louis HELP has organized and trained 60 volunteers who through regularly scheduled visits to the warehouse have provided more than 2,000 hours of labor. Imagine what this woman could do if she had more funding available? As is stands, she works with grants and donations. Without this help, St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program may not be able to provide the services it currently does, and the people that rely on it, will again be without. I would hate to see that happen. Thank you for your consideration.
This organization is amazing! They lend out to those in need of medical equipment at no charge. This helps both the client and keeps the medical equipment from being dumped into the environment. We have personally seen friends of ours helped greatly by the organization.
St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (St. Louis HELP) is an organization that provides Home Medical Equipment (HME) to any individual, for as long as necessary, at no charge. It is a program designed to remove some of the limitations placed on the elderly, disabled and low-income community and to provide an outlet for those who would like to give back to the community through volunteering, equipment donations and recycling. Why recycle and reuse? This common sense approach makes a positive impact on the environment, providing usable equipment to those who need it, and responsibly recycling items and parts that can no longer be used. In the past year: - St. Louis HELP provided over $540,000 of home medical equipment to the uninsured, the elderly, the poor and disabled – all without charge or fee to the recipient! - St. Louis HELP served 2,500 uninsured, underinsured, disabled and low income program recipients. - St. Louis HELP received donations of over 5,000 pieces of home medical equipment (45% lent to HELP recipients,17% forwarded to developing nations, 16% in current inventory and 22% responsibly recycled) - St. Louis HELP diverted 90 tons of unwanted home medical equipment out of area landfills. - St. Louis HELP has organized and trained 60 volunteers who through regularly scheduled visits to the warehouse have provided more than 2,000 hours of labor. The uninsured, underinsured, disabled and elderly are at particular risk of facing barriers to accessing HME. These vulnerable populations continue to experience reduced access to health care services demonstrating a continuing need for a strong and viable safety net. HME devices include, but are not limited to, manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, canes, crutches, walkers, shower chairs, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, portable commodes, folding ramps, seating cushions, back supports/positioning devices, dressing aids, electric hospital beds, van lifts, lift chairs and stair lifts. St. Louis HELP accepts donations of nearly every type of home medical equipment device from individuals, vendors and manufacturers.