By Shelley Widhalm
The Surveyor

If you’ve had surgery or can’t get the medical equipment you need through your insurance, Good Health Will wants to be your first stop before you start shopping at full retail price.

“There’s such a difference in price because it’s all donated. That’s how we can keep prices low,” said Joanna Hunter, executive director of Good Health Will, Metal Outfitting & Recycling Store.

Good Health Will, a nonprofit with locations in Loveland and Greeley, accepts donations of durable medical equipment and health care supplies, then sells the items at 10 to 50% of retail value. The nonprofit makes sure the items are clean and in good working condition to protect customers’ health and safety.

“It’s a great service for anybody that has an ailment or is going through a tough time or has a child with special needs,” Hunter said. “We have clientele that doesn’t have insurance and is on the lower economic scale.”
Good Health Will began in 2006 out of a garage in Fort Collins under the name Rocky Mountain Medical Outfitting & Recycling. The idea at the time was to connect the large amount of supplies being thrown away with those in need, but soon the informal operation outgrew its space. In 2011, RMMOR officially became a nonprofit and moved into a storefront in Loveland, opening a second store in Greeley in 2013.

“We would love to open other locations,” Hunter said. “Right now with the cost of everything, it’s not the right time for us … but it’s always on the books.”

To make things more efficient for customers, Hunter is upgrading the 5,000-square foot Loveland location, 2003 W. Eighth St. She’s organizing the front area and the shelves and bins, making sure everything is in the right section, is labeled and has a price, plus is easy to find.

“It’s a constant work in progress,” Hunter said. “We get different things all the time, one-offs to our usual donations.”

Smaller items are in one section and in the back is durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs, bathing supplies like shower and tub benches, toileting equipment and hospital beds. The store also carries walkers, rollators, scooters, hoyer lifts and pediatric DME.

“Right now, we’re seeing a decrease in incontinence supplies, like adult briefs, pads and disposable underwear,” Hunter said. “We always, always need wheelchairs, walkers, bathing equipment and toilet seat risers. Those are all items that are constantly moving.”

Some of the items require a waitlist, which can be a couple of days or a week or longer, Hunter said.

“When somebody comes in and asks for (something), it seems to be put out to the universe and it comes in,” Hunter said. “The more we give, the more we get back.”

The Loveland store serves an average of 1,300 customers a month and the Greeley store about 700. Customers are helped by a staff of 12 at the two stores, including a manager and five employees at each one. Volunteers also help out — Loveland currently has three regular volunteers and, like Greeley, is always looking for additional volunteers.

“We do everything in our power to make sure you walk out of the store getting what you need,” Hunter said, adding that the two stores have a Pay It Forward fund for those who can’t afford the items they need. “Our initial goal is to have what you need, so you’re not walking out of the store without.”
Good Health Will is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday for shopping and donations. The nonprofit also ships smaller items nationwide.

Courtesy photo
Good Health Will staff.