LEBANON — The Hanover Lions Club is seeking volunteers who are interested in joining a new club being formed to support a program that provides durable medical equipment to anyone who needs it, free of charge.
The Hanover Lions Club needs a minimum of 20 volunteers so that it can form a separate Lions Club to support the Health Closet, which is currently located at 325 Mount Support Road in Lebanon, and needs to find a new location by March 15.
The space is currently being leased by Hypertherm, which has allowed the Health Closet to share warehouse space. Hypertherm’s lease on the space ends at the end of March and in the fall, Cornerstone Charter School will open there.
“We’ve had a couple possibilities we’ve looked at, but we don’t have a definite solution to that part of it yet,” said Hanover Lions Club member William “Star” Johnson.
He added that forming a new club and finding a new space are connected because they need the club infrastructure to support the Health Closet in whatever new location they find.
As of last Friday, six people had filled out applications to join the new club. New club members must be 18 and older, Johnson said.
“We’re working on it, but volunteers are few and far between these days,” said John Bayliss a member of the Hanover Lions Club, who currently runs the Health Closet program with Harry Armstrong, a member of the Canaan Lions Club.
The two supply equipment such as wheelchairs, bed rails and shower chairs to people throughout the Twin States. They also collect items people want to donate and repair equipment so that it can be loaned out.
There is no minimum time commitment for volunteers. The club would also be open to having people volunteer remotely, including working on logistics and helping to coordinate donations.
“There is no hard and fast expectation other than people do what they can,” Johnson said.
Once the group has enough members, a board will be formed and different roles, including treasurer, will be assigned. There will also be more of a structure put into place which would allow for more defined volunteer roles, including when people can show up to help at the physical location and work on fundraising.
“We’re not as organized as we need to be right now because it’s been Harry and I for many years,” Bayliss said.
Johnson, Bayliss and other community members are continuing to search for a location that is roughly 2,000 square feet, and has heat and a bathroom. The ideal spot would also be near either Interstate 89 or Interstate 91.
Without a clear contingency plan, if March 15 arrives without a new location, the equipment will likely be divided up at multiple locations, including Lions Club members garages and barns.
“We might have to avail ourselves of those,” Johnson said.
Those interested in joining the new Health Closet Lions Club can reach out to Johnson at 603-381-8603 or star@biggreenre.com.