Project HERO collects and redistributes donated healthcare material to benefit those in need.

All viable excess medical supplies and equipment are handled in an environmentally safe manner, promoting recycling through redistribution.

Description:
Project HERO functions as a clearinghouse for redistribution of unused healthcare materials to medically fragile and financially vulnerable individuals in this community and the surrounding area. HERO's hours are 12 noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday or by appointment. Individuals may be referred to HERO via healthcare or social workers.

HERO functions as a resource to regional healthcare facilities in the effective recycling management of these perfectly usable materials. HERO accepts donations of clean and gently used durable medical equipment in good working order from individuals and healthcare facilities. Medical supplies that are unopened or unused also are accepted. HERO is unable to accept medications or prescriptions, or powered wheelchairs not in working order.

Project HERO is committed to providing those in need with access to much-needed healthcare equipment and supplies.

Donated durable medical equipment, such as electric and hospital beds, shower chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, etc. are redisributed as available. HERO also provides additional supplies for incontinence, wound care and personal hygiene.

HERO has worked with more than 105 healthcare and social service agencies in 17 counties in North Dakota and 11 in Minnesota to provide supplies and equipment to those individuals who otherwise may go without them. In addition, for those supplies that are unable to be re-shelved in this country, HERO continues its original mission to provide equipment and supplies to 52 medical missions annually.

Volunteers are needed to sort donated supplies most days of the week. Volunteers also are needed to transport larger items to the infirm (hospital beds, lift chairs, etc.) on an occasional (often short-notice) basis. A volunteer with knowledge of warehousing and inventory rotation is needed for 4-6 hours/week (any time from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). HERO also looking for volunteers to help in the office, answering the phone and helping with computer data entry(will train)to help maintain records. HERO also needs and someone to pick up our cardboard for recycling weekly.

History:
Project HERO (Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization) began in 1996 as a mandate from the local chapter of the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) to address recycling the large amount of wasted, but unused, healthcare materials from local hospitals, created by the prohibition of re-shelving materials in this country with opened outer wrappings.

Project HERO originally provided supplies and equipment for medical missions to the Third World. Supplies were collected and stored in donated space until May of 2004, when the Board committed to leasing a warehouse to meet increased demands for local and regional services.

In 2000, HERO became 501(c)(3), licensed in the State of North Dakota. In 2001, HERO significantly expanded services, focusing on redistribution of used durable medical equipment (DME) and unused supplies locally by collaborating with non-profits, public healthcare and social-service agencies. The number of partner agencies has grown from 59 to 105 in the past three years, and the number of agency requests and supplies provided for individuals in need doubled each year from 2002 to 2005.

Today, HERO functions as a clearinghouse for unused healthcare materials, redistributing them to patients and healthcare providers in need and as a resource to regional healthcare facilities in the effective management of these materials.

Through the collection and reuse of supplies, Project HERO has been able to significantly reduce the amount of refuse regional healthcare facilities produce each year, saving our local landfills. This is important to our environment, as a significant amount of this refuse is non-biodegradable.

HERO collects and distributes these supplies, providing vital healthcare items to those who otherwise may not have access to them due to financial limitations.

To meet ever-increasing requests for services, HERO's Board hired its first full-time executive in April of 2005. In December of 2005, HERO operation manager's position increased from 30 to 40 hours per week. At this time, HERO's founder continues to serve as the volunteer Medical Supplies Coordinator for one day/week.

HERO is a local, independent, charitable non-profit organization whose operations are financed through gifts from individuals, businesses, faith-based organizations and foundation contributions. HERO receives no government or United Way funding.

Contact people:

Georgia Dufault, Office Manager, (218) 284-6111, (email) Joyce Newton, Executive Director, (218) 284-6111, (email)

Office fax number: (218) 284-6112

Address:

2204 5 Ave N Ste C Moorhead, MN 56560 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.fmhero.org

Directions:

Going N on Hwy 75 (N of Main Ave), 5 Ave is the first street on the left. HERO is located in the Auto Auction Center, the third overhead door to the W. (Immediately across Hwy 75 N is the. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 1 block