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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Volunteer Month Spotlight - InterVol


We'd like to share some information about an organization where we volunteer.  InterVol’s recovery program, Recycling Unused Medical Supplies (RUMS) uses a system of Education, Collection, Sorting and Inventory, and Distribution to save over 6,000 lbs. a week of medical supplies and equipment that otherwise would be destroyed or placed in area landfills. Besides the benefit to the environment, millions of dollars of medical supplies and equipment are made available to desperate overseas hospitals and medical clinics.

Medical equipment that is outdated by American standards is still “ahead of the technology curve” overseas.  Many overseas hospitals are desperate for all of the basics.   We work in the warehouse on Tuesday evenings sorting and completing an inventory of supplies.  The supplies and equipment are then donated locally, nationally and internationally.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and include scout groups, church groups, students,
teachers, senior citizens, and health care workers. Hundreds of area volunteers, most with no medical experience have traveled throughout the world carrying suitcases of medical supplies with them.  For the past two years, we have taken suitcases of medical supplies to a clinic in Mexico.  
 
We encourage you to volunteer in the warehouse sorting incoming medical supplies.  Please call 585 922-5810 for further information.

Dan Robertson and Barb Connolly
Academic Services
04/07/2006