Local group provides medical equipment for those in need

Photo Credit: Marcia Winchester Photo Caption: A sample of items The Lending Hand has to offer to the community Two friends saw a need in the community and decided to make a difference. Julia Hunt and Marcia Winchester have been actively involved in the community for years, finding small and large ways to lend support through involvement in area nonprofits and community projects. In 2024, Hunt and Winchester noticed there were a lot of requests in local social media forums for medical equipment to help people recover from an injury or care for an aging parent. The two realized there was a community need they could fill and set to work gathering items and finding ways to distribute them to those with pressing needs. Winchester, a retired nurse, had some medical equipment in storage and was happy to help where she could. "We saw all these Facebook posts from people requesting medical equipment to help them through a difficult time," Winchester said. "We both had some things in our houses and we got together to see how we could help." Winchester began reaching out to see if she could obtain the equipment needed and was pleasantly surprised by the community response. Initially, the pair got together and compiled the items they already had on hand, but it did not take long for the project to grow as the community need became more apparent. Today, the project is called The Lending Hand. The program collects used medical equipment, which sometimes needs to be cleaned or repaired before it can be loaned to someone else. Blue Ridge Health has recently begun supporting the program by providing access to new equipment and some more specialized items. Nira Cope saw an opportunity to bring additional support to The Lending Hand while providing useful, practical skills and an appreciation of service to area students. When items need to be assembled, cleaned or repaired, they are collected and brought to Swain County High School, where students at the Academy enjoy helping get the equipment ready for someone who needs it. When faced with an illness or injury, people can face challenges getting access to the equipment needed to support them while they recover. Often, these items are not provided to the patient and may not be covered by insurance. If a patient is unable to work and has difficulty with mobility, obtaining needed support may be financially impossible. Since much of this equipment is only needed temporarily, it made sense to Hunt and Winchester to create a lending program. Thus, The Lending Hand was born. The program acts as a sort of lending library for medical equipment with no barriers to access. Items available for loan include shower chairs, bedside commodes and accessibility and mobility support equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, canes, knee walkers and doorframe ramps to support wheelchair access. For Winchester, her background as a nurse has provided knowledge and experience that can be useful in determining what equipment may be helpful to someone recovering from an illness or injury. For Hunt, the effort is another example of a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community. Hunt has spent decades volunteering and supporting local organizations and students. Her Julia Hunt Endowment, established in 2004 through the North Carolina Community Foundation, provides scholarships to Swain County students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service. That same spirit of service is reflected in The Lending Hand, where equipment that might otherwise sit unused can provide practical assistance to someone facing a difficult period. The program also demonstrates how community partnerships can turn a simple idea into a resource for local families. Donated equipment can be put back into use, volunteers can contribute their time, and students can learn practical skills while helping their neighbors. The Lending Hand is always on the lookout for equipment that can be donated and for volunteers to help deliver items to people in the community. Storage for the growing collection of equipment is also becoming a challenge. Currently, Winchester is storing the items at her home. "My garage is full and people are calling all the time," Winchester said. As the program continues to grow, Hunt and Winchester hope to continue connecting unused medical equipment with people who need it, while building on the community partnerships that have helped make The Lending Hand possible. For more information about The Lending Hand, to donate equipment, volunteer or inquire about available equipment, contact Marcia Winchester at (828) 736-3576, or contact the group via Facebook. Items for donation can also be dropped off at Blue Ridge Health – Swain, 264 Highway 19 South, Suite 4, Bryson City, NC 28713. The Blue Ridge Health – Swain office can be reached at 828-341-1060.

Local group provides medical equipment for those in need

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