Thursday, May 2nd, 2019
Rotarians collect medical goods to aid poor nations
By William Kincaid
Photo by William Kincaid/The Daily Standard
Grand Lake Rotary President Joseph Schlueter, left, and members Sharon Green and Richard Morris help remove an X-ray machine from Celina Chiropractic Care. Owners Aaron Pruitt and Gina VanArsdel donated the device to be used overseas.
CELINA - Grand Lake Rotarians are on a mission to collect medical equipment and supplies and other items for use in developing nations.
Club president Joseph Schlueter last year got his first taste of Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad Foundation Inc., an international service organization founded in Fostoria in 1981 by the Rotary Clubs of Northwest Ohio District 6600.
MESA volunteers strive to provide second-hand equipment, supplies and technology for humanitarian needs throughout the world. It has a warehouse in Fostoria with 26,300 square feet of usable space.
"Last year we went up to the warehouse and helped them up there to sort stuff out," Schlueter told the newspaper. "They'll take anything that's medical-related. They've been taking children's videos, children's DVDs, DVD players, VCRs - and this is all sent across the sea to third-world countries for hospital use, medical (purposes)."
Schlueter was impressed with the outfit and the good work they do.
Looking to extend their help, Schleuter and his fellow Rotarians began organizing semiannual trips to the warehouse.
Once they've taken in a decent haul of donated goods, they make their way to Fostoria.
"Our equipment we're giving them is stuff that's usually older, donated, but that's better than nothing," he said. "They have nothing in some places."
Their most recent delivery found them transporting a couple of skids of materials offered by Mercer Health and an X-ray machine donated by Celina Chiropractic Care owners Aaron Pruitt and Gina VanArsdel.
"They're gong to do something good with it, so I was very happy to hear that," VanArsdel said about the working X-ray machine her business no longer needed.
MESA accepts all types of medical equipment, including ambulances, EKG machines, sterilizers, gurneys, microscopes, stretchers, defibrillators, surgical instruments, dental drills, wheelchairs, glasses, crutches, braces, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, bandages, gloves, diapers, surgical masks, beds, blankets, curtains, mattresses, bed linens, lighting, baby clothes, computers and school supplies.
"Everything is all donated - all the time, all the labor," Schlueter said. "Everything is all donations. Nobody gets paid. And the warehouse up there is even donated."
Those interested in donating materials can contact Schlueter at 419-305-0463.
