STLHELP Newsletter
April 2024
Baby is Amazed
18-month-old Ann Marie was not yet walking. Born with disabilities, she needed specialized equipment to learn to walk. Her mom Jaime shared that while they were waiting for the equipment to arrive, it was taking too long. "We ordered the equipment Ann Marie needs using our insurance plan, but we got worried because it was taking a long time, Jaime said. "Thank God, Ann Marie was able to get what she needs to keep developing."
With the correct home medical equipment, Ann Marie flashed a huge smile as she put weight on her legs for the first time. "It was a thrill to see that moment when she felt herself stand for the first time," said Karen Lanter, STLHELP executive director.
Ann Marie's walker, while used, is just like new. "Children quickly outgrow their wheelchairs and other equipment, making reusing them a great option for parents struggling to meet copays and/or experiencing slow fulfillment times," said Karen.
STLHELP provides free pediatric equipment and how we seek to help more families like Jaime and Ann Marie, while preserving the environment.
Please help us HELP our neighbors. GIVE STLDAY giving is now open. We are a local, grassroots nonprofit, serving St. Louis since 2008. MORE
)%20(4).jpg)
Deceased Vet Pays It Forward
Gerald “Gerry” Kehoe had a dying request for his wife Theresa. “He was a Vietnam Navy Veteran, and he wanted, if at all possible, to help a fellow Veteran by giving away his wheelchair van.” Theresa Kehoe, of Maryland Heights, reached out to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) to make his dream come true.
​
“We sent a notice to more than 200 Veterans we have served in our community, sharing Gerry wanted to give away his van, first come first served,” said Karen Lanter, executive director, STLHELP. "We had a great response."
​
Last December, Keith Carleton and his wife Joyce received the van, a 2006 Dodge Caravan SE, courtesy of Gerry. Keith has had a series of strokes, making this van more needed than ever. “I have not been able to get him into the car with me,” said Joyce. She shared that recently Keith needed to be hospitalized after being unable to lift himself into their automobile.“
Gerry Kehoe
"Gerry’s wish is being granted. We are thrilled to be able to help a Veteran from our community,” said Theresa Kehoe. She said that giving away the van reflects the kind of man her husband Gerry Kehoe was. “He had a wonderful outlook on everything,” said Theresa. Despite multiple sclerosis paralyzing him in 1989, Theresa shared that he woke everyday grateful to be alive. Gerry passed away in October 2023.
​
STLHELP, a 501(C)(3), nonprofit organization, has been providing recycled free home medical equipment since 2008, sharing healing, happiness and independence, while preserving the environment. To request or to donate used home medical equipment, please visit www.stlhelp.org.
Keith Carleton
STLHELP Near Your Zip? See New Locations and Hours
Donate/Return/Pickup Medical Equipment
Access: REQUEST HELP at www.stlhelp.org
or call 314-897-HELP (4357).
No Walk In Pickups
DROP OFFS WHENEVER WE ARE OPEN. NO RESERVATION NEEDED
Warehouses: drop off/pickups/returns, Wed & Sat 9 am to 1:30 pm.
1. St. Louis HELP
9709 Dielman Rock Island Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63132
​
2. St. Louis HELP
302 Bailey Road
Crystal City, MO 63028
​
HELP HUBs:
​1. Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, drop offs/pickups/returns,
Tu & Th 9 am to noon. Call first, 314-894-9200
4355 Butler Hill Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
​
2. Aging Ahead Senior Center, Lemay, OPENING March 26, 2024,
drop offs/pickups/returns, Tuesdays, 9 am to 3 pm
225 Lemay Ferry Road
St. Louis, MO 63125
​
3. The Care Service, St. Charles, drop offs/pickups/returns,
Fridays, 9 am to 3 pm
4116 McClay Road
St. Charles, MO 63304
​
4. Love in Action, North & South City, drop offs/pickups/returns,
CALL FIRST BEFORE PICKUPS OR DROP OFF OF DONATIONS: 314.809.7776
a. Soulard, Fridays, 10 am to noon, 2350 S. 7th St., St. Louis MO
63104
b. St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church, Mondays, 10 am to
noon, 1413 N 20th St., St. Louis MO 63106
​
5. St. Martin’s United Church of Christ, High Ridge, drop offs/
pickups/returns, OPENING May 2024, Tuesdays and Thursdays,
10 am to 2 pm. 3229 High Ridge Blvd., High Ridge, MO 63049
​
WAREHOUSE PICKUP REQUIRED FOR LARGE ITEMS SUCH AS LIFT CHAIRS AND HOSPITAL BEDS.
STLHELP EARNS BBB ACCREDITATION
STLHELP recently received BBB Nonprofit Accreditation. This recognition is in addition to STLHELP's Platinum rating from Candid.
Learn more and see how STLHELP's impact continues to grow. MORE
The Care Service is Now a STLHELP HUB
What is a STLHELP HUB?
To provide better access to STLHELP's services, we are partnering existing organizations. The Care Service is the 2nd, after Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, of what we hope are vibrant partnerships throughout the region to:
​
1. Provide easy drop off YEAR-ROUND to anyone seeking to help their neighbors through donating used home medical equipment.
​
2. Enable people in local communities to REQUEST HELP to secure the home medical equipment they need.
​
Taking back healthcare neighbor to neighbor
​
​
The Care Service
Partners with the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP)
The St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) is partnering with The Care Service in St. Charles to provide increased access to STLHELP’s services: collecting, cleaning and refurbishing home medical equipment, and providing it for free to anyone who needs it. The Care Service, located at 4116 McClay Road, St. Charles, is now another place, in addition to warehouses in Olivette and Crystal City and a partnership with Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Mehlville, for people in the community to not only donate used home medical equipment they no longer need, but it also provides access to STLHELP’s services. People can call to make an appointment to visit the new St. Charles location to request used home medical equipment they need.
​
“The Care Service is the first STLHELP satellite in St. Charles County,” said Karen Lanter, executive director. “Through working with established and vibrant organizations like The Care Service, STLHELP can better meet the needs of our neighbors.”
​
Known as a STLHELP HUB, The Care Service location will accept home medical equipment donations on Fridays from 10 am to 2pm by prior appointment by calling (314) 897-4357, ext. 6.
​
For more than 15 years, STLHELP, a nonprofit, has been collecting, refurbishing and giving away used home medical equipment to anyone who needs it. This work is needed more than ever with high deductibles, bad insurance, no insurance, denials and now even supply-chain shortages prevent people from getting the resources they need to heal.
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church Is Now a STLHELP HUB
What is a STLHELP HUB?
To provide better access to STLHELP's services, we are partnering existing organizations. Abiding Savior is the first of what we hope are vibrant partnerships throughout the region to:
​
1. Provide easy drop off YEAR-ROUND to anyone seeking to help their neighbors through donating used home medical equipment.
​
2. Enable people in local communities to REQUEST HELP to secure the home medical equipment they need.
​
Taking back healthcare neighbor to neighbor
​
​
The St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) is partnering with Abiding Savior Lutheran Church to provide increased access to STLHELP’s services: collecting, cleaning and refurbishing home medical equipment, and providing it for free to anyone who needs it.
Abiding Savior, located at 4355 Butler Hill Road, St. Louis, is now another place, in addition to warehouses in Olivette and Crystal City, for people in the community to not only drop off used home medical equipment they no longer need, but it also provides access to STLHELP’s services.
​
“Abiding Savior Lutheran Church is the first in a number of partnerships STLHELP is working to create throughout the region,” said Karen Lanter, executive director. “Through working with established and vibrant organizations like Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, STLHELP can better meet the needs of our neighbors.”
​
Known as a STLHELP HUB, Abiding Savior will accept home medical equipment donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am and Noon by prior appointment by calling (314) 894-9200. Mark and Cheryl Strahm of Abiding Savior, are leading the effort in building top of the mind awareness of the importance of donating used home medical equipment when it is no longer needed to be refurbished, cleaned and reused. This effort is part of a larger health ministry and was funded in part by the Lutheran Foundation of St Louis.
​
For more than 15 years, STLHELP, a nonprofit, has been collecting, refurbishing and giving away used home medical equipment to anyone who needs it. This work is needed more than ever with high deductibles, bad insurance, no insurance, denials and now even supply-chain shortages prevent people from getting the resources they need to heal. To learn more about Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, click here..