Yesterday, FH's International Medical Equipment Distribution (IMED) Program celebrated a major milestone: the shipping of its 300th container!
MAP AT IMED WAREHOUSE REPRESENTING CONTAINERS SHIPPED |
Located in the burgeoning metropolis of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, IMED has been collecting, refurbishing, and sending lifesaving medical equipment and supplies, as well as emergency food rations, to 51 nations on three continents since the dawn of time (okay, well, since 1999, anyway). You can browse the medical category of our FH blog Thriving Communities to read stories about IMED impact.
ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT |
IMED operates with a modest staff of just five full-time, committed, and talented people. The rest of the work comes from enthusiastic and self-giving volunteers. Just last year, 2,900 hours of volunteer time was donated.
VOLUNTEERS HAVE FUN WHILE FOLDING HOSPITAL LINENS |
I don’t know of any other group that gets as many good things done as IMED.Volunteer Pete Toner
I'm thankful that I found IMED, and that I could be a part of the hard work we do here. Volunteer Jim Stone
To celebrate this occasion, and the many donors and volunteers who make IMED possible, "the warehouse" (as it is affectionately called by FHers) put on a smashing party. According to IMED staffer Nicole McLellan, "We had a come and go with many of our volunteers, financial supporters and partners. We estimate there were 50 in attendance. Some took photos standing proudly in front of the container, some wanted to tour the warehouse, and others ate their share of cookies."
VOLUNTEERS AND IMED STAFF REMINISCE ABOUT PAST CONTAINERS AND THEIR IMPACT |
TIME LAPSE VIDEO OF 300TH CONTAINER BEING FILLED
This event attracted local Saskatoon news outlets Star Phoenix, Global Saskatoon, and Living Light News! Star Phoenix is set to run the story later in March, but you should be able to catch IMED on the March 26 evening news with Global Saskatoon.
IMED DIRECTOR, LINDSAY BRUCKS, GIVES AN INTERVIEW TO GLOBAL NEWS |
And where is the 300th container going? It's mission is to deliver urgently needed medical equipment to local clinics in Nicaragua.
The truck that collected the container for shipment to Nicaragua pulled out of the warehouse at noon today, February 27th. A big thanks goes out to every donor, supporter, and volunteer - without you, not a single container would have been possible.
OFF TO NICARAGUA! |
Cudos for IMED
"What a blessing this celebration! Thank you and your team for the efforts in provide GIK to the most vulnerable in the Global South." - Julio Aramayo, FH Guatemala Country Director
Congratulations on sending 300 containers! These have saved and helped untold numbers of lives around the world. Thanks for your amazing service and leadership to this work Lindsay! May the Lord continue to bless this work." -Cliff Wiebe, FH Canada Board Member