The Gorham Health Council Loan Closet has re-opened for loans. The Medical loan closet is free and available to Gorham residents in need of wheelchairs, shower seats, commodes, walkers, canes, crutches and more. Hours are by appointment only with a volunteer.
Here is how the process works. Call Gerry Day at 839-3859, and she will give you the number of a volunteer to call. The volunteer will set a time to meet you at the loan closet.
Photo credit Chris CrawfordMedical Closet volunteers L to R Marty Towle, Patrick O’Shea, Carol Robinson, Audrey Hauxwell, Lois MacDonald and Gerry Day working to clean up and get ready to re-open for anyone in need.
For many years this volunteer-run service has been helping the residents of Gorham. It was started by Cornelia Files, Janice Edwards and Barbara Farrar in the Methodist Church basement on School Street. It moved several times ending up at the present location thanks to Burleigh Loveitt and the Town Council. It is located in the Municipal Center (the old Shaw Junior High School) in the same building as the Gorham Recreation Department on Ball Park Road.
The Medical Closet thrived through the years and Alice Keddy ran it by herself for many years walking to and from her house on South Street sometimes as many as three times a day.
In recent years Gerry Day has been the driving force who has kept the Medical Closet running smoothly. She recruits the volunteers, coordinates with the Town and makes sure the items to be loaned are in serviceable condition.
The Medical Closet accepts donations, however it is unable to take broken medical items, chairs, beds or personal equipment. There are organizations that will accept these item and one of the volunteers can provide this information to you. All items must be sanitized and in workable and safe condition. The volunteers at the Medical Loan Closet hope you don’t need a medical item, but if you do, please call Gerry Day at 839-3859.