Even the most game volunteer would balk if a nonprofit asked her to root through a commercial trash bin. But if she refused, she’d be missing out on one of the most unique volunteer experiences out there. Don’t take our word for it. Look at the pictures.
Every year, more than 15,000 volunteers jump at the opportunity to go through trash for MedShare, a 12-year-old organization that collects and recycles medical equipment from hospitals in Atlanta and the Bay Area to send to more than 85 developing countries.
MedShare’s founders came up with the idea “after learning of the environmental threat imposed by hospitals and medical companies discarding thousands of tons of medical supplies and equipment, while underserved hospitals in developing countries were desperate for the most basic medical items,” explains MedShare’s marketing and public relations manager, Kimberly McCollum.
The “dumpsters” in which MedShare collects surplus supplies from hospitals are actually donated blue barrels that are used exclusively as collection spots. There are about nine barrels placed in strategic locations in each partner hospital. Currently, there are some 200 collection barrels split between Georgia and California.
After a brief training, volunteers sort and group like supplies (bandages, syringes, etc.) into boxes. The boxes are then entered by a staff member into an inventory system, sent to the warehouse and, after being requested by a medical facility overseas, shipped out and used to save lives.
If you are an engineer or want to be one, MedShare has special opportunities for you. “Student volunteers from local college engineering programs come in a few Saturdays a month to work with our senior biomedical engineer, Eben Amstrong, to assess and repair donated biomedical equipment,” McCollum says.
Biomedical equipment is among the most requested items from international hospitals, “and as much of the donated equipment takes specialized knowledge and time to repair, this is an incredibly helpful service that these students donate.”
To find out more about MedShare or get involved, visit their website.
Photos courtesy of MedShare.