St. Therese medical closet provides much-needed medical equipment to anyone in need
St. Therese of Lisieux parish nurse Gerri Gehle manages the parish medical lending closet, which allows parishioners and non-parishioners alike to borrow medical equipment from the parish for free. The closet is stocked with items donated by parishioners.Dan Meloy | The Michigan Catholic
Shelby Township — Imagine all of the places in Macomb County where you might find a lift chair: hospitals, furniture stores, resale shops, maybe even a garage sale if you’re lucky. But a Catholic parish?
For many area residents, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township offers the last chance to receive much-needed medical equipment, all free of charge.
The St. Therese of Lisieux medical lending closet is full of walkers, canes, wheelchairs, bandages, and toiletries; even a hospital bed or two has been known to be in the Shelby Township parish’s closet.
The medical closet began 20 years ago, established by then-parish nurse Sue Verellen, who saw a need for members of the senior community.
Today, parish nurse and parishioner Gerri Gehle runs the parish health ministry and manages the medical lending closet.
“A lot of seniors are on a fixed income, and some didn’t even have insurance that covered medical equipment,” Gehle said. “So she started a closet where people brought in supplies, crutches, things they acquired over the years they didn’t need anymore.”
After 20 years of lending equipment on the “honor system,” St. Therese of Lisieux has become known for helping seniors as long as they are in need.
Most of the equipment is donated by parishioners, but the closet supplies are available to anyone, Gehle said.
“Most of our help comes from parishioners, but it doesn’t matter who they are when it comes to receiving the supplies; it’s whoever walks through the door,” Gehle said. “There was a gentleman from Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, who needed a shower chair. He called us and asked if he was allowed to borrow the chair, and we said, ‘Of course you are.’”
Gehle attributes the success and longevity of the medical lending closet to the generosity of parishioners who’ve spread the word, and the support of St. Therese’s pastor, Fr. Lawrence Zurawski.
Parish nurse Gerri Gehle and pastor Fr. Lawrence Zurawski stand amidst crutches, canes and commodes in the St. Therese of Lisieux Parish medical closet. The Shelby Township parish allows people to borrow the equipment free of charge, based on the "honor system."Photos by Dan Meloy | The Michigan Catholic
“We have everything for medical supply needs, free of charge,” Fr. Zurawski said. “This helps the greater community; and we take pride in not turning people away. When I learned of the program, I was happy that we were doing something that’s not done in other parishes.”
Because of financial constrictions, many hospitals and senior centers are cutting back or eliminating their medical supply lending closets, so St. Therese of Lisieux is becoming something of a “go-to” source.
“Some of the senior centers that got rid of their medical closets are now directing their calls to us,” Gehle said. “The Area Agency on Aging and local hospitals have our contact info, and some of the care agencies have our numbers on speed dial.”
When a person or agency calls St. Therese of Lisieux’s health ministry asking for a particular item, staff will place the item in the parish lobby for pickup. If the person in need isn’t mobile, Gehle will deliver the item to them if possible.
“There was a lady from Detroit a few years ago, and she need all this equipment and had no idea how’d she gets it all,” Gehle said. “She came here, and we had it all laid out for her. She just started crying, saying this was the first place to say yes. We helped load into her car, and she just kept crying, saying this is what she needed when it felt like everyone else left her behind.”
Whenever there is a shortage or a particular item requested the closet doesn’t have, Gehle places an announcement in the parish bulletin, and within days, a donation comes through to fulfill the need, even for the “hard-to-get items.”
“We had a client who needed a lift chair, so we put it on the electronic screen in the church, and we happened to have a family visit the parish that week who had a lift chair,” Gehle said. “God works in mysterious ways.”
The medical lending closet is a huge relief for residents in the area, but it also serves as a means of evangelization, Gehle said.
“When people come in to pick up supplies, it might be the first time they’ve ever been inside a Catholic church,” Gehle said. “Ministries like this help get the word out about what we at St. Therese are all about. We have a great support staff, ready to help anyone who walks through the doors, and it’s a good thing we’re trying to do here.”
Donations needed
The St. Therese of Lisieux medical lending closet is at 48115 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Township. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. To donate or request items, call (586) 254-4433 ext. 357.
All are welcome
The St. Christopher-St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Senior Club meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 7800 Woodmont, Detroit. Cost is $5 for doughnuts, coffee, games, fellowship and a catered meal.
