Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), a non-profit organization providing over $10 million annually in home medical equipment (HME) and supplies to those living with disabilities, and Rotary District 6900, comprising 69 Rotary Clubs from most of Atlanta and the western part of the state of Georgia, have partnered to collect and distribute medical equipment and supplies to support South Carolina flood survivors. FODAC will serve as a staging point for collection and provide shipment; Rotary District 6900 and its participating clubs will facilitate collection events to gather additional HME. Items collected will include used and refurbished home medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and shower benches, as well as supplies needed for community clean-up.
“The horrific flooding in South Carolina has displaced many residents,” said Chris Brand, president and CEO of FODAC. “Many people are in shelters for an indeterminate length of time with little or nothing of their possessions, their houses still under water or destroyed. We are grateful for the support of Rotary District 6900 and its member clubs that have volunteered to help us with this relief effort that will provide much needed assistance to so many.”
FODAC has a long history of providing assistance in disaster areas; earlier this year, the organization trucked a load of HME to aid flood survivors in western Kentucky. In 2013, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) appointed FODAC to serve as the statewide distributor of HME and assistive technology in the event of a large population-affecting emergency situation. In this role, FODAC will warehouse the HME and other equipment, then, working with GEMA and the American Red Cross (ARC) of Georgia, will coordinate the delivery and distribution to emergency shelters around the state.
Those interested in supporting the program should visit www.fodac.org/SCflood to donate funds. FODAC is also accepting donations of gently used HME, at its warehouse at 4900 Lewis Road in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Members of local Rotary clubs can also contact FODAC about sponsoring HME and supply drives.
About FODAC
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) helps people with injuries and disabilities of all ages regain their mobility, independence and quality of life. The non-profit organization provides more than $10 million annually in refurbished home medical equipment (HME) and home modifications in Georgia and across the United States, all at little or no cost to the recipients. A pioneer in re-use, FODAC keeps 200 tons of materials out of landfills each year by refurbishing and reissuing over 400 HME items every month, and is recognized nationally for best practices. In 2014, FODAC was named to Charities Under 5% Overhead, an organization of charities that have operating overhead of five percent or less.
In 2013, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) appointed FODAC to serve as the statewide distributor of HME and assistive technology in the event of a large population-affecting emergency situation. In this role, FODAC will warehouse the HME and other equipment, then, working with GEMA and the American Red Cross (ARC) of Georgia, will coordinate the delivery and distribution to emergency shelters around the state.
For more information on FODAC and its programs, visit www.fodac.org.
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