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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>On its website, The Lending Room extended its gratitude to Dick Stewart.</p>
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<p>“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.</p>
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<p>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.<br></p>
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