Two bible verses prove true over this holiday season for HELP. The first is Acts 20:35 NKJV- “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, he said, It is more blessed to give than receive.” Our wonderful volunteers are sharing twelve of their stories (believe us, there are MANY more) of how your support of this local outreach mission has touched others over the holiday season.
Catherine Romelfanger writes:
1. Two sons (one up from Texas) seeking solutions for their mother who was sent home to her apartment after failing cancer treatment. HELP supplied them with a wheelchair, a shower chair, and disposable incontinence pads then put them in touch with Stefanie for a bed and with All Blessings Flow for other possibilities such as a lift chair. They were overwhelmed /unfamiliar by/with their mother’s needs (who plans for cancer?). They were appreciative of the supplies and the bit of guidance offered through HELP.
2. A young woman was facing surgery on her lower extremity. She needed a walker, shower chair, incontinence pads, nutritional (protein) support and encouragement. She left with her physical needs met and encouragement to her and her partner
3. One of the most touching recent loans was to a gentleman who had oral/throat cancer. His speech was very limited. The transaction was further constrained because he is illiterate. Billie Sue was able to sort out a request and then we were stumped. We gave him a sheet of paper to sketch out what he needed – a stability pole. We had one! This gentleman was relieved and joyful that we were able to help him.
Kris Cree, Peggy Ruleman, and Joyce McClain write: H.E.L.P. is more than a place to secure durable medical equipment, we are a group of volunteers that provide guidance, an ear or shoulder to lean on and a sense of hope and calm in the middle of an unfamiliar medical storm for first-time caregivers. Below are examples of the impact we are making in our community.
4. Panic Resolution-A woman called in a panic one day. She explained that her husband was being released from Augusta Health within 2 days because his bed was needed for Covid patients. She stated she could get a hospital bed through Medicare, but was told her best option was to secure one from H.E.L.P. We were able to assist her in the hospital bed and even had additional items she would need which we gladly placed on reserve so she could get everything she needed in one trip.
5. A Light of Hope-An only child and sole caregiver explained his concern for his mother who was sent home from the hospital with late-stage congestive heart failure. She was retaining fluid (currently weighing 350#) and in need of a bariatric bedside commode. We had this piece of equipment for which he was grateful. In further discussion, we learned he was concerned about her safety in the event of a fire, and whether would he be able to get her out of the house. We suggested a 22” wheelchair that would accommodate her weight and give him a sense of peace that he was doing everything he could to care for her. Sometimes help is just listening…..
6. Guidance provides Confidence- An 80-year-old man came in to get equipment to take care of his wife being released from King’s Daughters. They (Kings Daughters) had given him a H.E.L.P. brochure
highlighting the items he would need to care for her at home. We had the items he needed. We instructed him how to place the legs on the transport chair, how to adjust the height on the shower chair, and how a raised toilet seat with handles would be easier for her to use. As a volunteer, we were the “crutch” he needed to feel confident in her care.
Regina & Stefanie write:
7. A man who fell, and after being checked out, was determined to have a stroke and leg fractures. The daughter in Maryland was trying to coordinate items the therapist said he would need in order to come home. They were so thankful it could be reserved and picked up once they arrived from Maryland to help the wife/her Mom out.
8. Tracy, the lead counselor at the department of aging and rehabilitation services for the deaf and hard of hearing worked tirelessly to get her client Donnie a hospital bed. Donnie is unable to communicate and Tracy worked through Sharon and Stefanie to ensure that Donnie had an appropriate bed. Donnie’s sister was unable to provide someone to pick the bed up for her brother, so Tracy arranged for one of her team members and her husband to pick up the bed and set it up for Donnie. We heard back from Tracy that Donnie was very appreciative
9. One client was bringing back some items she loaned and quite a few others to donate. While unloading, she commented they had tried so many things to help her husband get rid of the swelling in his legs. The leg compressor machine she loaned was like a miracle. It was the only thing that worked and she was so thankful.
10. A call from Highland Respite Care was to ask for a bed alarm for a family that had been dealing with a mother who gets up at night and wanders which has resulted in some falls. The family had been taking turns staying up to watch out for her and were so sleep-deprived. We had several alarms to choose from and they were looking forward to feeling good about her safety yet finally getting some sleep.
11. Highland Respite continues to be a source of referrals for HELP. A person in need of a bed for her husband getting out of the hospital was able to arrange to pick a bed up on a Friday morning.
12. A young lady needed a hospital bed for her father who just got out of the hospital. They met on a Sunday morning for the bed pickup. She and her husband were very appreciative of meeting at that time because they really needed the bed for her Dad. Stefanie handed them information about the Flu and COVID vaccine clinic that was coming up that Wednesday. The young lady was able to come that evening to get her booster and she was so happy because her husband got his first dose that evening!
You never know who you will meet and the connection you will make. While Stefanie was visiting neighbors, she discovered her neighbor’s daughter works for an organization that sets up hospitals and clinics in other countries. Stefanie is going to make a connection with this person to see about sharing HELP’s excess wealth of medical supplies with other countries in need.
On the other hand, Luke 6:38 NLT says: “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Oh my goodness! We have witnessed this “running over and poured in our lap” blessings this holiday season! Take a look at some of the incredible gifts we received in November and December!
1. Houff Charitable Foundation 5,000.00
2. A portion of Christian Village Preschool closing money ($2821.87) in honor of Linda McWhorter (Stefanie and Ladena’s mom who started it)
3. Various Churches support; St James UMC, Hebron Presbyterian, Moscow Church of the Brethren, Parnassus UMC, and St Peters totaling $1570.00.
4. Houff Family Foundation- $5000.00
5. Memorial Donations to honor Thelma Townsend, Dot Whitson, Ann Clark, and Betty Drumheller totaling $1305.00
6. Giving Tuesday donations: $600.00
7. All expenses covered for Paving of the parking lot by Calvary Baptist Church and Weatherman Collins Contracting (over $12,000.00)
8. Christmas Facebook Fundraiser by the Sumner Family- 30 donations totaling $1400.00
9. Christmas memorial and “In honor of” donations in lieu of receiving gifts- $500.00
10. VA UMC sustaining grant notification for $4300.00 to be paid quarterly in 2022
11. Kroger Community reward Donations–$115.00; Amazon Smile donations–$50.93
12. Individual Donations- $3,735.00 from many supporters that have been touched by the program.
We are overjoyed and so thankful as it truly validates this mission is on the right path of what God wants us to do. All of these gifts will certainly go a long way to help us cover the anticipated $24,000.00 in operating expenses. It couldn’t happen without the community support, our wonderful volunteers, and the faith and prayers of each of you. If you want to take more of an active part, just contact any HELP leader and they will point you in the right direction. Who knows where God will take this in the coming year?
Regina and Stefanie