Crossville’ Habitat for Humanity ReStore opening a new medical mobility and sporting goods room to provide local families with access to affordable equipment and essential supplies.
Development Director Ashley Brink said the organization decided to expand its offerings after receiving a high volume of requests and questions from community members looking for specific items. Brink said the ReStore serves as the largest fundraiser for the local Habitat for Humanity mission.
“At Habitat, we’re known for building houses, but our mission is really about building stronger communities,” Brink said. “And sometimes that happens to look like a new home, but sometimes it also looks like a wheelchair, a walker, or a piece of equipment that helps someone regain their independence.”
Brink said the new dedicated space allows the store to effectively organize and display larger items like wheelchairs and lift chairs that require more storage room. Brink said the medical equipment sold through the program typically costs about one-third of the standard retail price.
“The reality is that medical equipment is expensive,” Brink said. “Even with insurance, many people find themselves needing a walker, wheelchair, shower chair, or other equipment, and usually it’s quickly and unexpectedly that they need it.”
The store is currently accepting donations of wheelchairs, shower chairs, walking canes, walkers, and knee scooters. Brink said the facility also accepts unopened packages of adult diapers, braces, and joint replacement aid equipment.
“For some families, it’s only needed temporarily, maybe after a surgery or an injury,” Brink said. “For others, it’s life-changing equipment that helps them maintain a good quality of life and the independence that everybody wants.”
Brink said the expansion was made possible through community partners who donated labor and materials, including the insulation and the HVAC system for the room. Brink said the sporting goods section was included in the expansion to help parents afford the high cost of equipment for children entering sports.
“As a parent, I personally know that it’s a big sacrifice to have to sacrifice your child’s participation in a sport when it’s just because the equipment is so expensive,” Brink said. “So that’s also a community need that we recognized and we’re trying to meet that need.”
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new room is scheduled for the end of the month.