Service Above Self: Saluting AJ’s Loan Cupboard

By Kitt Brand on October 29, 2024.

The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat would like to recognize AJ’s Loan Cupboard for its service to our community and to others as far away as Oyen, Maple Creek, Bow Island and Brooks.

This organization provides medical equipment to thousands of individuals and families in need of wheelchairs, hospital beds, crutches, various items for bathrooms and so much more.

Managed by part-time staff dedicated to service and supported by more than 300 volunteer hours per month, AJ’s helps an average of 20-30 clients per day. In any given month, approximately 1,900 families access nearly 4,200 pieces, keeping 75 per cent of AJ’s inventory in service to those in need.

Equipment is accounted for by a well-developed database permitting exceptional communications with all AJ’s clients. The staff is experienced in selecting required equipment and teaching best use practices. All items are maintained by a small team in a workshop who ensure the equipment is in good repair and sanitized for re-issue.

Not a day goes by when AJ’s does not receive expressions of gratitude for its help to people either injured or recovering from surgery. Some Rotarians volunteer at AJ’s and often comment how they enjoy the work and how rewarding it is to help so many in the community.

AJ’s is successful because of support from individuals, businesses and organizations that donate funds and equipment. Their generosity enables the team to continue providing this exceptional and crucial rehabilitative service.

Recently, in a bold initiative, AJ’s Loan Cupboard partnered with Rotary Clubs across Alberta to contribute medical equipment for hospitals in Ukraine. Through a partnership with Firefighter Aid Ukraine, the Rotary Club of Calgary North and the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park, AJ’s donated excess equipment to be sent by 40-foot sea container destined for Ukraine.

The sea-can was loaded with more than four tons of essential medical and dental equipment gifted at no cost by doctors and dentists across the province.

Another partner, WTS Logistics of Calgary, covered the expense of ocean passage for the container. The medical equipment shipment arrived in Poland in August and was then transported by Rotarians to pre-determined locations in Ukraine.

You are invited to visit AJ’s website where you can follow how the management team has responded to the community’s needs since the loan concept was born in 2002.

As many in the world hope for peace, AJ’s Loan Cupboard hopes its small contribution of medical equipment will help the people of Ukraine recover from injury and to forge a better future.