As Medical Missionaries nears its 25th anniversary, we took a moment this past Thanksgiving to reflect on gratitude. We are grateful for the help of our steadfast generous volunteers and the donations that allow us to accomplish our mission. We shipped hundreds of toys during the holiday season to Appalachia and thousands of pounds of food monthly to those in need.
Along the way, we had fun with our fabulous fundraising events, teamwork while loading trucks, driving to pick up donated medical equipment, and collecting supplies. This month we celebrate gratitude and appreciation with all of you.
Volunteer Focus
Julian Cole, Founder, Mobility Assistance Devices Loan Closet (MAD)
Our Medical Missionaries team met Julian Cole when he came with carloads of medical supplies and equipment to donate for our container project. On recent trips this month he brought large items including a Hoya Lift, bedside table, walkers, canes and crutches as well as boxes of mixed medical supplies. He shared with our team that all the items were donated to his organization and he wanted to share them with us after learning of our work on the Medical Missionaries website. Mr. Cole shared that recently a minister from the Ashburn community had passed away and her family asked to donate all her equipment and other medical items to a worthy organization. Upon finding us on our website he chose Medical Missionaries to receive the donation items. It took 2 carloads to transport that family’s donations to our office.
Mr. Cole, who hails from Ashburn VA, is the founder of Mobility Assistance Devices (MAD). He realized the need for MAD after learning that residents of the Ashby Ponds Continuing Care Community in Ashburn needed medical equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs to help them get around their community or to appointments. The organization is now fully in operation, having a loan closet with over 80 items with typically 40 out on loan.
Based on the needs of the larger community they have been observing, their team has a new initiative called MESS (Medical Equipment Support Services) which will give the Ashby Pond Community another opportunity to serve those in need in a different way. Mr. Cole and the MESS coordinator Ron, came by recently with an additional donation of wheelchairs, rollators and other valuable items.
We are very thankful to Mr. Cole and his colleagues for these substantial donations and welcome them as a partner to Medical Missionaries.
St. Joseph Clinic, Haiti Update
Covid-19 Vaccinations
Interest in the Covid vaccine has been increasing as it is necessary for Haitians to travel to the United States or the Dominican Republic. St. Joseph Clinic is giving 10 – 30 shots a day.
Supplies Arrive in Haiti
The 58 boxes that Medical Missionaries packed and sent in September 2021 arrived in Cape Haitien, Haiti in November via the container organized by Food for the Poor/Nativity Parish in Burke VA. The Clinic staff traveled to Cap-Haitien to pick up the boxes and all 58 were safely transported to St. Joseph Clinic. Our clinic manager, M. Charles Saint Fleur Junior, and his colleagues were on hand to receive them and were very thankful for their safe transport and arrival.
Trip to the Dominican Republic
Michael Morch, DDS, who frequently visits St. Joseph Clinic as well as other clinics in the area, recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit the people in the Banica area. He was not able to enter Haiti at the time. He met with friends of Medical Missionaries who shared stories of how things are going in their area. Mike also met with local vendors who showed him their wares from Haiti which Mike was able to purchase. These items will be posted on our next auction.
Holiday Virtual Dinner
Join us for an evening of festive music, magic and fun at the Medical Missionaries Virtual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 9 from 6:30-8pm. We are planning a fantastic lineup that will surely get you in the holiday spirit. Joining us will be Zac Quintana, Mike Morch, Elvis, a magician and other musical talents. We will have a holiday singalong and an ugly sweater contest. Dr. and Mrs. Irwin will do the tree lighting.
While the event is free, we are asking for a donation to support Medical Missionaries. The suggested donation is $25/ticket. Only one registration is needed per household.
The event will be virtual using Zoom. You can log into Zoom on a computer, smart phone or tablet. After registering, you will be emailed the link.
Supplies and Equipment On the Move
Local Distribution: Three wheelchairs and other medical supplies were donated to local people in need.
Children Volunteers Make Toy Donations: Three of our youngest volunteers and humanitarians, Riley, Emma and Graham (see photo below) were each given $25 by their grandma as a Christmas gift. They decided to use the money to buy a gift for a child in the Grundy area so that they may also have a wonderful Christmas. What a thoughtful idea!
Medical Office Equipment Will Get a New Life
On Saturday November 20th, Medical Missionaries’ pickup truck, trailer and van made the trip to Purcellville, VA to pick up many donated items from a local pediatrician who was closing her office there. We loaded several excellent exam tables, office chairs, two scales and other valued items.
Operating Room Table Donated
The University of Virginia – Prince William Hospital donated an operating room table.
Food Rescue enabled us to have enough food to take to Rocklick Food Pantry in Appalachia on November 9th and we will make another delivery on December 4th. Several trucks were loaded with rice, holiday items such as biscuits and mixed food boxes. Our December 4th trip will ensure that all the food and gift items from the Rocklick Pantry Annual Holiday Drive will be ready to distribute for their holiday festivities.
Holiday Toy Drive for Appalachia!
Thanks to all who donated toys! For those who order through Amazon, we often do not know who you are as the boxes come in without any identification. But we appreciate your donations very much! We received an amazing variety of wonderful toys and gifts for all ages for the Rocklick Holiday Drive! We were also able to make up small gifts of scarves and jewelry thanks to many thoughtful donations. Deadline to donate is Dec. 2, 2021.