by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The equipment and medical accessories in the Medical Bank operated by the Cobden and District Civitan Club is for free use by any resident of Whitewater Region township.
Equipment and accessories includes wheelchairs, canes, crutches, raised toilet seats, walkers (indoor and outdoor), commodes, shower benches, shower chairs, bed rails and bed poles.
Civitan Bob Porter, who chairs the Medical Bank Committee, said, “The equipment is safe and well-maintained.”
There is no cost for those who need equipment, he said. Usually, the equipment is loaned out for up to a year. However, there have been a few times when it’s been longer, he added.
Those who take out the equipment sign a loan form and after the time specified for use has come and gone, Mr. Porter will contact them to see if they need it for a longer period-of-time.
“When we review the book, if the equipment has been out for a very long period of time, it’s taken out of the book and considered a donation to that family and then we replace it,” Mr. Porter explained.
The equipment is inspected annually, as well as when it’s returned, he said. The Club has developed a relationship with Home Health in Renfrew, and it conducts the yearly inspections, he said. While minor repairs are made at the bank’s home, equipment will be taken to the business for any major repairs, he said.
Usually there is no fee for this inspection or repairs, he added.
The annual review was just completed and Mr. Porter noted the club spent $3,000 this past year on new equipment.
“When I think the Medical Bank needs something, I go to the executive and say, I need funds,” he said. “I’ve never been turned down yet.”
Along with the general fund account, Mr. Porter said there is usually a donation to the Medical Bank from the yearly club’s golf tournament held at the Oaks of Cobden. There are also donations from people, mostly those who use the equipment, he added.
Mr. Porter noted people can donate their medical equipment and accessories to the Civitan Club’s Medical Bank, but notes if it’s not something it would normally keep on hand, they find a home that needs it.
While it may seem the bank has plenty of equipment, Mr. Porter said, “I never want to be in a position that when someone needs something we don’t have it.”
Currently, about 100 pieces are out on loan to about 60 people, which is about half of the inventory, he said.
Mr. Porter encourages anyone within the boundary of Whitewater Region to reach out to the club if they know someone who needs to borrow the equipment.
“I want to let people know it’s here,” he said.
It’s for people who live in Cobden as well as in La Passe, Westmeath, Haley’s, Foresters Falls, Beachburg and all those places in between, Mr. Porter stressed.
Mr. Porter believes this is a unique project for the Civitan Club, because it’s not a mandate to provide it to the community. However, many years ago, there was a need for this type of free equipment, so the club started it and has kept it up, he said.
“I don’t know of other Civitan clubs that have a medical bank,” he said. “It’s not a mandate to have it, it’s unique to Cobden.
“The Civitan Club is very proud of it and it’s a great asset for the community.”
With a background in inventory control, Mr. Porter said this is a perfect fit for him since joining the club four years ago. He worked with Howie Ullrich on the committee, and when Mr. Ullrich died, he was appointed chairman of the committee. This year he works with Civitans Dave Cartman and Kathy McLaren.
The Cobden and District Civitan Club has about 70 members and was chartered 41 years ago. Mr. Porter joined the club four years ago. He and wife Deb moved from Toronto to Cobden to be closer to their daughter’s family when he retired.
When a neighbour’s son was going through some health issues, a Civitan member showed up one day and gave them a cheque.
“That’s the kind of community organization I wanted to be involved with,” he recalled.
He spoke with a few Civitan members, was invited to a dinner meeting and then joined the club.
Mr. Porter said the Civitan Club holds various fundraisers throughout the year, including the annual golf tournament, fish tournament, and helps at Taste of the Valley and the Cobden Fair, as well as helps operate a weekly bingo in Cobden and takes a few shifts at the bingo held at Community Boardwalk in Pembroke.
“The money raised is for the community,” he said.
Mr. Porter said the members are about “giving to the local community. The focus is the community we live in and for many of them, it’s where they grew up.”
If anyone would like to borrow some equipment, call Mr. Porter, 613-646-7256 or check the Civitan club’s website or speak to any Cobden Civitan club member.
