How to collect mobility devices
Fill out the contact form and ask, then we will give you directions to the nearest facility. Or you can organize your own collection--all you need is a place to collect and a place to store the mobility devices. We prefer to ship a forty foot container, so a mixed load of devices around 3000 pieces will usually fir in the conmtainer
There are many great places to collect crutches and mobility devices. Any place where people gather on a regular basis, such as:
- Schools, fire stations, grocery stores, and rehabilitation facilities
- Spas, gyms, yoga studios, and Pilates locations, rehab centers and adult housing communities.
- Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Optimist Clubs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Awana, etc.
- Religious organizations, community groups, and locally-owned grocery stores
- Cleaners, theaters, bowling alleys
- Individuals--ask your neighbors, co-workers, and friends, ask about grandparents or elderly who might have devices
- Any well-publicized event such as a festival, homecoming, or the state fair, county fair, art show, rodeo, craft fairs.
How to prepare mobility devices
First get 5" stretch wrap (u-Haul has good price).
Then the crutches need to be paired. With small collections it is usually easy to see the pairs, check the lower area just above the crutch tip to see if it matches the one you think is its mate. collapse each crutch by pressing buttons on both side of the lower half of the crutch and twisting it a quarter turn then pushing the tip up toward the handle until it clicks in the lowest hole making it as small as possible. Then stretch wrap the pair around the handles in the middle. This ensures the wing nuts or red height adjustments for the handles do not come off in the long sea voyage. After the crutches have been stretch-wrapped into bundles of three, a good way to stack them is in this pattern of alternating directions in each row. Stacking in this way prevents the crutches from tipping or falling. (Video here)
Then the crutches need to be paired. With small collections it is usually easy to see the pairs, check the lower area just above the crutch tip to see if it matches the one you think is its mate. collapse each crutch by pressing buttons on both side of the lower half of the crutch and twisting it a quarter turn then pushing the tip up toward the handle until it clicks in the lowest hole making it as small as possible. Then stretch wrap the pair around the handles in the middle. This ensures the wing nuts or red height adjustments for the handles do not come off in the long sea voyage. After the crutches have been stretch-wrapped into bundles of three, a good way to stack them is in this pattern of alternating directions in each row. Stacking in this way prevents the crutches from tipping or falling. (Video here)
How to store mobility devices
dStorage should be donated whenever possible and can be a barn, shed, or garage. Storage should be available for the duration of your collection project and should include additional time to prepare for transport and shipping. The average time for storage is 6 to 10 months. The location should be dry, relatively accessible for the pickup of mobility devices. Keep in mind that collected items may be transferred later to a larger vehicle than those involved in the collection process.
Collection brochure |
Print copies of this informative and colorful brochure to help you publicize the collection event.
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