GOODWILL PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
February 17, 2020Across central and coastal Virginia, Goodwill partners with the F.R.E.E. Foundation to refurbish mobility equipment and distribute it to the community. The foundation helps adults achieve independence through mobility, granting free equipment to qualifying individuals in need.
When Goodwill receives mobility equipment, it is donated to F.R.E.E., whose volunteers sanitize, repair and distribute it free of charge to uninsured and under-insured adults. Goodwill also provides workspace in the production center at their Richmond Support Hub to help the foundation quickly and efficiently process equipment to serve our local community. Last year, F.R.E.E. of Richmond served 486 people with 673 pieces of equipment.
“We are so thankful to Goodwill. By partnering with Goodwill, F.R.E.E. is able to easily collect used medical equipment given by community donations. We then sort, sanitize, detail, inspect, and make minor repairs to the equipment. F.R.E.E. gifts like new medical equipment to qualified adults with disabilities in the community,” said Robin Ramsey, executive director of the F.R.E.E. Foundation of Virginia. “This partnership is a win-win for both organizations and the community! We couldn’t do what we do without Goodwill.”
Goodwill also works with F.R.E.E. in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads, transporting donated equipment to their facilities to be distributed to those in need. Donated mobility equipment has a huge impact on the lives of Virginians, allowing adults to remain living safely in their homes longer, as well as decreasing falls, emergency room visits and hospital readmission.
F.R.E.E.’s impact statistics include –
- 96% greater independence
- 97% decrease in falls (1055 falls before service decreased to ONLY 28 falls post-service.)
- 97% decrease in emergency room
(782 ER visit before service decreased to ONLY 26 ER visits post-service.) - 97% decrease hospital readmission
(750 hospitalizations decreased to ONLY 22 hospitalizations post-service.) - 99% remained living safely at home
- 305 clients specifically stated without the equipment given to them by F.R.E.E., they would have be prematurely displaced into a nursing facility
F.R.E.E.’s work throughout Virginia has saved the state over $27 million in medical costs and provided 2,774 people with life changing equipment. Goodwill is proud to be part of the nonprofit community and partner with organizations like the F.R.E.E. Foundation to better the lives of individuals throughout our communities.
To learn more about Goodwill’s partnerships or how to donate mobility equipment, visit www.goodwillvirginia.org/about/our-partners.
