With help from Habitat Humanity and after years of planning, The Lending Room’s new service facility on Parris Island Gateway opens Wednesday, May 29.
An all-volunteer organization that has operated for the past 58 years, The Lending Room provides needed medical equipment to Beaufort residents, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
Located on Parris Island Gateway behind Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity offices, the new building was built by Habitat with funds provided by The Lending Room.
The new headquarters facility is home to hundreds of individual pieces of medical and rehabilitation equipment – wheelchairs, canes, crutches, orthopedic walking boots and more – collected though community donations, repaired and made available to recipients for a nominal donation per item.
Last year, more than 430 pieces of equipment were lent out to some 396 Beaufort-area residents and beyond. This number is set to increase now that the organization has more convenient facilities and volunteers to assist individuals in obtaining equipment.
The Lending Room operates through a network of volunteers, receives partial funding from grants and individual donations and can accept tax-deductible donations (to the extent provided by law) to support its work in northern Beaufort County and beyond.
On its website, The Lending Room extended its gratitude to Dick Stewart.
“We want to extend a special shout out to Dick Stewart for his support over the years by giving The Lending Room a place to hang our hats (and crutches, walkers and commodes) rent free for 19+ years so we could save our money and make this possible too,” the website read.
A grand-opening celebration will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 at the new headquarters at 616B Parris Island Gateway in Beaufort. The public is invited to visit the new space and meet the volunteers.
