2024 Holiday Newsletter
Since 2008, neighbor to neighbor, providing recycled free home medical equipment,
sharing healing, happiness and independence, while preserving the environment.
Scroll to read newsletter, including full Post-Dispatch feature on the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP)
Helping Forgotten Children
Gibson Elementary School Nurse Toby Arman believes in helping little children. ​She was determined to change seven-year-old Paola’s life. Paola was born with spina bifida. ”Paola was still crawling, not yet walking, and had never been to school,” said Toby. Paola, of North County, required a pediatric wheelchair, but it proved to be a challenge for Toby to find one.
"I reached out to everyone I could think of. No one was able to help,” said Toby. "Then the words ‘STLHELP’ appeared. I dialed the number listed and said ‘Hi. I need help. Please tell me you can help me.’ The kindest voice replied, ‘You have called the right place.’" Toby Arman, School Nurse
Paola, age 7
Toby Arman, School Nurse,
Gibson Elementary School, North County
Helping Through Community Collaboration
The St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) helps people of all ages, including kids, often who are toddlers or primary school age, the kids who slip through the cracks. We work with individuals, caregivers, families, school nurses as well as physical therapists and case managers from our regions' hospitals and rehabilitation centers to get people with special needs what they need, at no cost.
Things move quickly with STLHELP. Within a week, Paola received her appropriately sized wheelchair and immediately began attending school - for the first time! The bright child is expected to catch-up with her classmates within a year - thanks to Nurse Toby. “She now has what she needs to feel that she belongs,” said Toby.
Paola at school
Why is STLHELP needed?
"The demand is ceaseless. The population is aging. Chronic diseases are on the rise. And climbing costs and insurance red tape are making it more difficult to obtain devices that improve mobility and everyday items."
Colleen Schrappen, Post-Dispatch
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Excerpt, STLHELP cover story in October 14, 2024 Post-Dispatch, read full story below.
What about the kids?
Healthcare is complicated in the United States. While STLHELP helps the aging population, kids with special needs grow quickly and also require home medical equipment, for example wheelchairs, that fit them as they grow. To further complicate the situation, specialized pediatric equipment is expensive, insurance copays are high. STLHELP is providing a common sense solution to a real need for quick and free home medical equipment for some of the St. Louis region's most vulnerable. The refurbished, donated equipment we provide is lightly used (kids grow fast) that families regularly donate to us, for us to inspect, clean and give away to the next family who needs it.
Long Waits
Area healthcare providers and parents of children with special needs share that, in some cases, the children may have to wait months to receive the equipment they need to be part of school, family dinner, even day-to-day life. STLHELP is more and more serving as the temporary or long-term solution for the child.
Sometimes parents have shared when requesting equipment for their child that s/he outgrew the new wheelchair they had ordered through insurance before it even arrived. The families also inform STLHELP that they are often subject to a waiting period of at least a year before insurance will pay for a another piece of equipment.
STLHELP is a great resource in St. Louis. More and more families are now donating new, or lightly used, pediatric home medical equipment their child has outgrown, and more and more children who need them are receiving them,
Loss of Progress
Not only do some local children with special needs often wait for months for the equipment to arrive vital for them to participate in day-to-day life, but they also can suffer setbacks in their progress in learning to walk, something very important to toddlers and school age children.
STLHELP promptly provides free specialized pediatric equipment to children who need it. Unfortunately, in addition to long waits, too common insurance will only cover one of the two pieces of specialized pediatric equipment that enables the child to learn to walk. STLHELP is often the only resource in the St. Louis region to have what a child needs, to get him/her moving.
Helping An
Aging Population
More than 70% of those STLHELP serves are age 65 or older. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “About one in seven disabled adults report that they cannot access essential medical supplies.” STLHELP is meeting the need. “STLHELP makes people safer,” said Courtney Davis, healthcare professional. “Their equipment prevents falls and improves quality of life. They can now actually take a shower!”
St. Louis HELP operations manager Kyle Wilson, right, unloads a donated wheelchair from Franco Giannotti, left, at St. Louis HELP on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Olivette. Giannotti donated the chair before picking up a U-Step Walker for his wife, who has Parkinson’s disease.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
Scroll down for the full Post-Dispatch story.
Testimonials
Christina Rejko, Physical Therapist,
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
“STL Help is a wonderful, MUCH needed organization! Medicare and other insurance services DO NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE YOU WITH EQUIPMENT needed to help one maintain maximum freedom and ability to help heal at home.” Vernie Clark, STLHELP recipient
“After calling nearly 30 places around town, I discovered that pediatric/youth equipment and/or repairs are extremely difficult to come by, until I called STLHELP." Erin, Physical Therapist, St. Louis
Meeting the Need
“It typically takes months for our young patients' equipment to arrive after they discharge home, which is valuable time wasted. STL HELP bridges the gap." Christina Rejko, Physical Therapist, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Helping More People, January - September
The St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program, overall, has served 21% more people year over year.
St. Louis City -- 2023: 380 people served;
2024: 476 people served; 25% increase.
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St. Louis County -- 2023: 930 people served; 2024: 1124 people served; 21% increase.
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Jefferson County -- 2023: 93 people served; 2024: 194 people served; more than a 100% increase.
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St. Charles County -- 2023: 106 people served; 2024: 134 people served; 26% increase.
St. Louis Business Journal Sep 26, 2024
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St. Louis Character: 'High-energy’ nonprofit leader Karen Lanter is a change agent who collects crystals
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Karen Lanter’s first description of herself on LinkedIn.com is “high energy.” And so it’s not a surprise that a first-time visitor will get a fast-paced tour of the Olivette office of St. Louis HELP (Health Equipment Lending Program), where Lanter has been the executive director since February 2022.
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There is a big supply of home medical equipment including manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, elevated toilet seats, electric hospital beds and lift chairs. Founded in 2008, St. Louis HELP is a nonprofit group that accepts donations of home medical equipment and lends it free of charge to those in need or their caregivers. The group has five employees and about 60 volunteers. In 2022, the organization had $290,896 in revenue, (more)
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St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program, a 501(C)(3) Tax exempt ID 80-0144355
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STLHELP is a local, grassroots local organization serving the greater St. Louis area since 2008. We provide equipment for free and rely on you and others to deliver our mission. Help support this innovative and effective St. Louis treasure.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Make a holiday donation.
2024 IRA Rules
Support our Mission. Reduce Your Taxable Income
This planned giving option allows you to make a gift the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program without it counting as taxable income.
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a wonderful option for people 70 ½ and older. That's because it allows you to make a gift to support our work and/or other 501(C)(3), nonprofit organizations — from $100 to $105,000 — without the distribution counting as taxable income.
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This giving option is a direct contribution made from your traditional or Roth IRA to a public charity like the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program, and it is a great option if you don't normally itemize your charitable deductions.
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Gifts through your QCD are a flexible way to give
Your contribution to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program through your qualified charitable distribution helps some our community's most vulnerable and comes with great benefits for you.
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A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) may be used as a convenient, tax-free way to make gifts up to $105,000* per year to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program or other qualified charitable organizations, while satisfying IRA required minimum distributions.
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Those with significant assets in an IRA or those who don't deduct charitable gifts benefit the most from a QCD. Qualified charitable distributions count toward required minimum distributions.
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Your QCD may be used as a convenient, tax-free way to make gifts up to $105,000 per year to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program or other qualified charitable organizations, while satisfying IRA required minimum distributions.
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Every gift, no matter how large or small, helps local families seeking to help their loved one get well and be active.. When you make a contribution to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program through a QCD, you'll be supporting the people in our community, stopping unnecessary pain and giving others the gift of stability and independence. To learn more, please email karenlanter@stlhelp.org.
Learn more about ways to give to the St. Louis Heath Equipment Lending Program or other qualified charitable organizations this holiday season. Visit here.
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The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Please consult your financial advisor.
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Operations manager Kyle Wilson, right, unloads a donated wheelchair from Franco Giannotti, left, at St. LouisHELP on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Olivette. Giannotti donated the chair before picking up a U-Step Walker for his wife, who has Parkinson’s disease.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
“I used to fall at least once a day,” said Nerina Giannotti, who walks back to her condo after a therapyappointment with the support of her husband, Franco, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Creve Coeur. NerinaGiannotti has Parkinson’s disease, and her newly acquired U-step walker from St. Louis HELP provides her withmore stability when walking. She says she has fallen less often since getting the walker two weeks ago.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
STLHELP's Executive Director Karen Lanter and STLHELP were recently featured in the St. Louis Business Journal. Click here to learn more.
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
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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.
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“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."
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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.
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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
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2. St. Louis HELP
302 Bailey Road
Crystal City, MO 63028
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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
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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
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3. The Care Service, St. Charles, drop offs/pickups/returns,
Fridays, 9 am to 3 pm
4116 McClay Road
St. Charles, MO 63304
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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
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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
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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:
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1. Provide easy drop off YEAR-ROUND to anyone seeking to help their neighbors through donating used home medical equipment.
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2. Enable people in local communities to REQUEST HELP to secure the home medical equipment they need.
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Taking back healthcare neighbor to neighbor
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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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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:
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1. Provide easy drop off YEAR-ROUND to anyone seeking to help their neighbors through donating used home medical equipment.
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2. Enable people in local communities to REQUEST HELP to secure the home medical equipment they need.
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Taking back healthcare neighbor to neighbor
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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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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..