Program spearheaded by Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville lends wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, commodes and other medical equipment — at no charge
By Jennifer Robinson
Charlie Luke is slated for knee surgery. But he needed something to help him walk in the meantime.
The 72-year-old Baldwinsville resident knew exactly where to go.
“Good morning, have you got a cane?” Luke asked on a recent weekday visit to 10 River St., a building that houses thousands of pieces of medical equipment that can be loaned for free to anyone living in the Baldwinsville Central School District’s borders.
The program is spearheaded by a local nonprofit, the Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville.
Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, commodes, toilet seat extenders, reachers, grabbers, knee walkers and hospital beds are among the 3,500 pieces of equipment that can be rented from the local closet.
“Some days are quiet and some days you might not be able to even think because people are coming in and out,” said Bonnie Kisselstein, president of the organization.
She said between 30 and 40 people come to the loan closet weekly, a mix of those returning, borrowing and making donations. The closet is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday or by appointment.
The operation is run by volunteers and there are a limited number of items available, Kisselstein said.
“Call ahead if you think you’re going to need something and be sure you got it,” she said.
For example, during graduation season and the span of the New York State Fair, wheelchairs are especially in demand, she said. There is no age requirement to borrow an item.
Knee walkers have been sought after lately, said Ellen Jennings, the group’s vice president.
“This is our most popular piece right now,” Jennings said, as she grabbed one and set it aside for someone who called minutes prior.
After equipment is returned, it’s cleaned and sanitized before going back onto the floor, Jennings said. Most of the items loaned out have been donated, but the nonprofit does periodically purchase replacement mattresses.
The nonprofit loaned out its first piece of equipment in 1928, Kisselstein said. It was a wooden wheelchair that now resides as a permanent fixture in the front right corner of the building.
Now, nearly 100 years later, the program continues serving the community.
On that recent weekday morning, Jennings helped Luke pick out an adjustable black cane with padded handles to help him get around before his surgery. She only had two questions for him after they found the perfect fit: was he a resident of the school district and did he need anything else?
“You don’t repair knees, do you?” Luke asked with a chuckle.
She took down the inventory number on the side of the cane, Luke’s phone number and wished him well.
“I’ll bring it back after I get my knee repaired,” he said. “Thank you.”
At a Glance
• What: Medical supply loan closet run by the Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville.
• Where: 10 River St., Baldwinsville. The closet is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are also available.
• Who: There is no age requirement. Anyone who resides in the Baldwinsville Central School District is eligible to borrow the free medical equipment from the nonprofit.
• Contact: 315-638-6277.