Mark Waterson, the Director, presented the program about the Convalescent Aid Society (click on this link to their website) an organization that lends durable medical equipment (DME) in the San Gabriel Valley – at no charge to all!  If you are recuperating from an injury, surgery, or just need equipment for an extended period like a cane, walker, wheelchair, shower stool all the way up to a hospital bed, CAS can help.  Currently they have over 20,000 items on loan, 14,500 exchanged last year.

Over 50% of their income comes from grateful users who donate to support the organization.  Its run lean – 90% of funds go towards servicing clients.  Mark explained that the organization is sustainable – it keeps used equipment out of landfills and their new repair service (700 repairs last year) expands the equipment they can collect and provide.  The newest vision is to expand the service area to Orange County and the San Fernando Valley with the first satellite now open on a limited basis in Whittier.

The main facility near the corner of Madre and Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena, turns away 300 people a month because there are not enough items.  Thus Mark is on a mission to grow the organization particularly in light of Medicare and insurance cut backs on DME items.

CAS is the largest and oldest (founded in 1920) organization of its type in the U.S. and it seems to me, should be established all across the country!