Offering aid for those in need is a key mission for most churches, but Pickerington’s Peace United Methodist Church goes beyond monetary and food assistance.
The church, 235 Diley Rd., offers a slightly different service from what you would expect – it collects and distributes medical equipment.
Peace United Methodist Church was previously involved in a community outreach collaborative program with the John D. Burlie Club Telecom Pioneers in 1989. In partnership, the Pioneers funded maintenance of trucks and warehouses used for delivery and storage of medical equipment while the church provided the manpower.
Jim Henson, a member of both Pioneers and Peace UMC, handled the outreach program for nearly 20 years. In 2009, the ministry officially formed with the name Peace United Methodist Medical Equipment Ministry. From humble beginnings with just one truck, the ministry has wildly grown. At any one time, about 50 volunteers are involved with the ministry’s work.
The group raises some funds through the church’s annual Trash to Treasure sale, where members of the church sell old trinkets in the fashion of a large garage sale. But practically all the equipment the ministry distributes has been donated by individuals, hospitals, nursing homes and other agencies or groups.
The ministry isn’t only active in the Pickerington area, it operates throughout central Ohio. Equipment it accepts and offers include electric hospital beds, wheelchairs, wheeled walkers, canes (straight and quad), bed canes, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches and lift chairs.
All individuals in need of assistance have to do is ask. The ministry’s equipment is available to anyone who needs it. Many of the people the ministry provides equipment to are unable to afford the equipment.
“We don’t ask for a thing,” says Linda Hottle, the ministry’s coordinator. “It’s theirs as long as they need it.”
Providing medical supplies is a full-time job. An estimated 150 hours of manpower go into the ministry’s efforts. Hottle alone devotes about 25 hours a week. The team goes out on runs three times a week, and also works to ensure the equipment is in good condition at the various storage facilities.
The ministry doesn’t offers other services, too. Social workers, therapists and physicians aid in any way they can. The ministry has a Scrub Club dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment when it is needed. Brett Kim, former administrative director and consultant to the ministry, inspects hospital beds for quality.
The ministry also prays for the people it serves. Hottle describes the ministry as a mutual service. The people who receive equipment help the servants in a different, meaningful way.
“A lot of the folks that we help help us as well,” Hottle says. “We’ve surely grown our hearts from this ministry.” Peace United Methodist Church is looking for people to help with the Medical Equipment Ministry. If you are interested, contact the church by phone at 614-837-3732, ext. 150, or email Linda Hottle at lindahottle@sbcglobal.net.
Kyle Banfill is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
