Some programs measure their success by the amount of funds raised, some by the geographic areas they serve. For the Community Center’s medical supplies closet, success is measured in wheelchairs and walkers, among other things.

Since the program began last September, it has handed over free canes, tub chairs, knee scooters, commodes, a dozen wheelchairs and 15-20 walkers, a hospital bed and other durable medical equipment to area residents needing help with the costly items.

The idea of Center President Shawn Lewin, the closet was first housed in the small mall space that had been used by Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. When the Center was told a new tenant would be moving into the space at the end of last summer, the search was on for a new home. As Lewin explained, “We scrambled and put the word out on social media, asking for help.”

Melissa Neel, vice president of operations at Boothbay Harbor Country Club, contacted Lewin with the news that developer and philanthropist Paul Coulombe had a property at the corner of Oak and West streets with an attached garage and shop. She reached out to Lewin on behalf of Coulombe and by Nov. 1, the program was in its new home. 

Contributions and requests for equipment keep coming and Center volunteer Kathy Loewe offered to coordinate the effort. She tracks the inventory and responds to requests for help.  Loewe and Lewin also keep in touch with Portland-based Partners for World Health (PWH) a nonprofit that collects discarded medical supplies and sends them overseas to countries where they are needed.

When the program has a surplus of certain items, they are brought to PWH, which returns the favor by selling the equipment at a discount. In addition to surplus items, the Center’s medical equipment program donates testing and complex medical equipment to PWH.

Asked if the requests reflect the season, Loewe said yes. “The first week that we had snow and ice, the calls were continuous for canes, walkers, tub chairs and knee scooters,” she said. Area residents are finding out about the closet thanks to the Community Navigator, Boothbay Region Health Center and rehabilitation facilities.

“We’ve had calls from Damariscotta and Bath,” Loewe said. While they are happy to help those looking for equipment, “Our intention is to take care of the neighborhood here on the peninsula,” Lewin explained.  

Boothbay resident Judy Burgess received a walker from the closet after she had a total knee replacement. “I didn’t want to buy it if it was only for a short time,” she explained. After calling the Center, her husband met Lewin and picked up the walker. “We returned it about a week ago,” she said. 

Donna Denniston of Boothbay Harbor was given a wheelchair when she injured her foot. She used the chair for the duration of her recovery and returned it to the medical supplies closet. “It’s such a fabulous community resource,” she recently told the Boothbay Register. “As a matter of fact, I’m going to bring them my used equipment.”

The equipment is provided to those needing it for free and becomes the property of the person who receives it. “If they want to give it back, they can but it is theirs to keep,” Lewin explained. “It’s nice when folks call and ask if they can contribute items,” Loewe added.

Wheelchair by wheelchair, walker by walker, the program is growing and continues to help friends and neighbors. It welcomes donations of equipment especially knee scooters, wheelchairs and transports, which are hard to find.

To donate or request equipment, contact Loewe at 380-4847, Lewin at 478-5874 or the Center at 633-9876. Callers requesting equipment make arrangements for pickup or delivery.