Have you ever needed crutches or a cane? Or perhaps you know someone who used a walker or a wheelchair as they recovered from an injury.
The Canadian Red Cross lends these items and many more to people in cities across B.C. including Williams Lake.
In places like Williams Lake and Quesnel the Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program or HELP is run by volunteers.
In Williams Lake more volunteers are needed to operate the service, says Sandra Sawtell HELP’s client services co-ordinator.
In Williams Lake the Red Cross office is located in Deni House adjacent to Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
This Friday, Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sawtell will honour two longtime volunteers with awards and host an open house information session for people interested in volunteering with the program.
She says volunteers are needed in a few different jobs such as lead volunteer, client services, administration and finance.
“We are looking to grow the team,” Sawtell says. “Full training is provided.”
The Red Cross HELP centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 to 11:20 a.m.; Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Medical equipment is loaned on the referral of a health care provider including doctors, therapists and nurses. The service is provided by donation with donation envelopes provided to clients.
“This is a short term service, typically one to six month loan times to help people convalesce at home often from surgery or an illness,” Sawtell says.
She says the loan service includes bathroom aids such as bath chairs, commodes and raised toilet seats along with mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes.
To find out more about Red Cross or the HELP service volunteer opportunities Sawtell asks people to come the information session.
People can also call 250-398-6803 or check out www.redcross.ca.