Achieving Independence Through mobility!!

Achieving Independence Through Mobility!

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

F.R.E.E. 2021 What an incredible year! Throughout the year, 2,899 people came through our program, gaining greater independence to help them thrive at home and in their communities. They gained functional mobility, balance, and health as F.R.E.E. provided durable medical equipment they could not acquire through any other means.

We achieved new milestones and reached greater depths in our services during 2021 than ever before. We supported Virginia health systems during medical equipment shortages, helping 97% of our clients return to and remain living safely at home.

In the last six years, we have more than doubled our services by deepening our community relationships and becoming the go-to program for adult charitable medical equipment reuse in Virginia.

We distributed 4,493 pieces of durable medical equipment valued at $1,097,214 and specifically tailored to each individual's need.

From our first nine people served in 2000, we have been able to sustain growth and soar to new heights by remaining focused on our service, partnering with local communities, and building our organizational capacity.

F.R.E.E. is true to our roots and Mission - to acquire and provide mobility-related rehabilitation equipment to maximize functional independence and improve quality of life. But we continuously strive toward our Vision of a Virgina where EVERY need for mobility-related rehabilitative equipment is fulfilled. We hope to see this vision advance with new programs on the horizon and hospital equipment closets.

As you will see in the upcoming pages, we believe our organization's success comes from the passion of neighbors helping neighbors in local communities across Virginia.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

We look forward to many more years of serving our community and helping adults achieve independence through mobility!

Rich Ellis Rich Ellis, Board President

Robin Ramsey Robin Ramsey, Executive Director

https://www.free-foundation.org/

THE FOUNDATION FOR REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT & ENDOWMENT (F.R.E.E.)

Helping Adults Achieve Independence Through Mobility Envisioning a Virginia where every need for mobility-related rehabilitation equipment is fulfilled.

WHO WE ARE The Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment (F.R.E.E.) is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization based in the state of Virginia.

F.R.E.E. has six full-service Virginia programs in Roanoke, Richmond, South Hampton Roads, Williamsburg, Lynchburg, and Winchester.

F.R.E.E. acquires and provides mobility-related rehabilitation equipment to maximize functional independence and improve quality of life of the people we serve. Our service includes two main parts: the people we serve and equipment we reuse. Intake data is gathered through a client application and a letter of medical necessity to qualify clients and match equipment to meet their needs.

WHAT WE DO

OUR OVERARCHING GOALS

We collect, sanitize, repair, and gift donated

Assist individuals to whom equipment is not otherwise available

mobility equipment to low-income, uninsured or under-insured adults in Virginia.

Be a model program for other communities Develop partnerships with others Combine resources to maximize our ability to recycle equipment

Mission

Vision

We acquire and provide mobility-

We envision a Virginia where every

related rehabilitation equipment to maximize functional independence and improve quality of life.

need for mobility-related rehabilitation equipment is fulfilled.

F.R.E.E. Client Actual Outcomes 2021 2,899 people served with 4,493 devices

97%

93% Decreased Falls (1,731 before

Greater Functional

reduced to ONLY 115)

Independence

94%

97%

Decreased ER visits (1,309

Remained living safely at

before reduced to ONLY 73)

home.

866

95%

Individuals stated that without

Decreased Hospital Re-

F.R.E.E.’ s services they would

admissions (1,313 before

have been prematurely

reduced to ONLY 68)

displaced from their homes.

Find the program near you LYNCHBURG Tate Springs Medical Center 1900 Tate Springs Rd, Suite 21 Lynchburg, VA 24501 Ph: (434) 846-3733 Fax: (434) 846-3773 lynchburg@free-foundation.org

NORTHERN SHENANDOAH VALLEY 333 West Cork Street, Suite 40 Winchester VA, 22601 Ph: (540) 664-7552 (voicemail) Fax: (303) 593-3519 nsv@free-foundation.org

ROANOKE (HEADQUARTERS)

RICHMOND

1489 East Main Street Salem, VA 24153 Ph: (540) 777-4929 Fax: (540) 777-1030 roanoke@free-foundation.org

6301 Midlothian Turnpike Richmond, VA 23225 Ph: (804) 920-9828 Fax: (804) 767-4417 richmond@free-foundation.org

SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS (Mailing Address) P.O. Box 66207 Virginia Beach, VA 23466 Ph: (757) 771-6183 Fax: (757) 447-6333 shr@free-foundation.org

WILLIAMSBURG 701 Sentara Circle Williamsburg, VA 23188 Ph: (757) 707-4741 Fax: (757) 337-5032 williamsburg@free-foundation.org

Statewide Efforts We worked closely with our Virginia military bases to support Afghan guests with disabilities. These bases included Fort Pickett, Fort Lee, and Quantico. F.R.E.E. partnered closely with the U.S. State Department, U.S. Department of Defense, Virginia Assistive Technology System, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Team Rubicon, the American Red Cross, Virginia Department for Emergency Management, and the Virginia Emergency Support Team. F.R.E.E. provided 143 rehabilitative devices.

Wheelchairs being delivered at Fort Picket to assist their medical team.

F.R.E.E. provided 19 wheelchairs for state Covid vaccination clinics assisting those who wanted the vaccine but could not otherwise access it. Working in collaboration with Virginia Department for Emergency Management, Virginia Assistive Technology System, and Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative services, we were able to support the most vulnerable Virginians.

Tracy Meador, manager of programs, leads F.R.E.E.'s statewide efforts.

Investing in the next generation F.R.E.E. enjoys sharing our services with the next generation of health care professionals and therapists. In 2021, we had the pleasure of guest lecturing at Mary Baldwin University, James Madison University, Radford University Carilion, and Tidewater Community College, where we taught students about durable medical equipment reuse as a resource for their future low-income patients in need of our services.

Radford University Carilion fall semester students interned every Monday at F.R.E.E., where they assisted with equipment sanitation. This was a WIN-WIN for everyone.

Students learned more about the equipment they will recommend for their future patients, and they helped F.R.E.E. during staff shortages.

Equipment F.R.E.E. Provides

F.R.E.E. of Roanoke F.R.E.E. of Roanoke has dual roles serving as a local program and the state headquarters of F.R.E.E. In Roanoke and Salem, Holly Weddle, Program Coordinator, works closely with Carilion Clinic, Lewis Gale Hospital, home health agencies, Radford University Carilion, Goodwill of the Valleys, Community Foundation serving Southwest Virgina, and the Louise R. Lester Foundation.

Above, Carilion discharge planners work with F.R.E.E. of Roanoke to stock their hospital DME closet for low-income patients, who cannot return home without this much-needed equipment.

During medical equipment aluminum shortages and COVID, F.R.E.E. helped Carilion patients return home to their families without delay!

“At Goodwill, we believe by working together our partnership is a vital benefit to the communities we serve.” -Mindy Boyd, Chief Operating Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

F.R.E.E. of Lynchburg

F.R.E.E. of Lynchburg works closely with health care professionals from Centra Health System, by collaborating with Virginia Baptist Hospital, Lynchburg General, Centra Home Health, and Guggenheimer Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Support from Centra Health and the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation supports local program services. Goodwill of the Valleys provides F.R.E.E. of Lynchburg with most of the equipment donated by the community for our program.

Robin Turner, Program Coordinator, leads the way locally with help from Cynthia Bibby, Equipment Technician, and Paula Warwick, DPT and retired Centra Physical Therapist, and Natash Claytor of Babcox Technologies.

Liberty University also provides muchneeded assistance during their annual LU Serves Day.

F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg "F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg has been so helpful, helping my adult son become more independent. I do not know what we would have done without them." -actual client family

F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg's Program Coordinator, Diane Harrah, above, serves the greater Williamsburg and James City County areas with support from local Sentara Williamsburg's occupational therapist, Kelly Ptachick. F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg is supported by Williamsburg Health Foundation, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Williamsburg Community Foundation, and The College of William and Mary.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation visits and tours new space.

This year, F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg gained a new drive-up program location on the Sentara Williamsburg Campus. Thank you to Sentara Williamsburg Medical Center for the gift of program space.

The Williamsburg Community Foundation grant award.

F.R.E.E. of NSV

F.R.E.E. of North Shenandoah Valley's Kristin Span serves as the Program Coordinator helping people in her new hometown with help from local therapists Health Buonocore and Richard Blum. F.R.E.E. of NSV collaborates with Winchester Medical Center; Valley Health Rehabilitation; Shenandoah University, North Shenandoah Valley Community Foundation and Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Stores.

F.R.E.E. of NSV is supported by Valley Health, the Community Foundation serving the North Shenandoah Valley (the Paul and Martha Rees Fund), and the American Woodmark Foundation.

"After our parents died, we didn't know what to do with all their medical equipment. Thank goodness we found F.R.E.E. and were able to donate it to pass it forward." -actual equipment donor

F.R.E.E. of SHR

F.R.E.E. of South Hampton Roads' very own Debbie Menadier takes special care of the community in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and surrounding areas.

While losing our space due to a COVID cutback, F.R.E.E. pivoted to a storage unit. Though not ideal, Debbie has made it work. She fondly calls it her "SheShed."

Working with Chesapeake's Mobile Integrated Healthcare team has significantly improved client and family home independence. In the SHR community, F.R.E.E. is supported by Sentara Health System, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, and Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia. F.R.E.E. participates in Women's Wellness Wednesday event monthly, to share our services!

F.R.E.E. of Richmond "I just wanted to say thank you for all F.R.E.E. of Richmond did to help me prepare for and recover from surgery!" -TJ

F.R.E.E. of Richmond serves our state capital and surrounding areas. Retired veteran, Lisa Soto serves the community with great compassion.

F.R.E.E. of Richmond is located inside Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia on Midlothian Turnpike. Supported by The Community Foundation of Richmond, Sheltering Arms Foundation, and the Fox Family Foundation, F.R.E.E. is able to meet the growing demand from one of our largest areas.

F.R.E.E. of Richmond has been our "Hub" for disaster relief and emergency durable medical equipment storage for the last five years. Thank you to Lisa and Liz Dennis for preparing for emergencies!

Above, Alison Clarke at Sheltering Arms Institute manages F.R.E.E.'s "Ready-To-Go" equipment closet.

Special Thank you to...

2021 Board Members & Team Members President- Rich Ellis, President RKE Publishing, LLC

President-Elect- Bryan Gregory, Chief Customer Experience Leader Carter Machinery

Secretary- Catherine Kilbane, Retired PT, Rehab Director Kindred at Home

Treasurer- Mike McGuire Client Solutions Manager, Cox Auto Inc.

Jim Haines, J.D. CCO and General Counsel of American Healthcare

Sara Ruhlman, DPT, Regional Director Athletico/Pivot Therapy

Leah Savelyev, MSOT, Radford University Carilion

Shelia Peters, PT, Lewis Gale Medical Center

Robin Ramsey, F.R.E.E. of Virginia Executive Director

Tracy Meador, F.R.E.E. of Virginia Manager of Programs

Diane Harrah, F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg Program Coordinator

Lisa Soto, F.R.E.E. of Richmond Program Coordinator

Debbie Menadier, F.R.E.E. of SHR Program Coordinator

Robin Turner, F.R.E.E. of Lyncyburg Program Coordinator

Holly Weddle, F.R.E.E. of Roanoke Program Coordinator

Kristin Span, F.R.E.E. of NSV Program Coordinator

Harold Weikle, F.R.E.E. of Virginia Hubscrub Technician

Liz Dennis, F.R.E.E. of Richmond Equipment Technician

Cynthia Bibby, F.R.E.E. of Lynchburg Equipment Technician

Kelly Cassidy, F.R.E.E. of Roanoke Equipment Technician

Rick Blum, F.R.E.E of NSV Equipment Technician

Natasha Claytor Volunteer Lead

Kelly Ptachick Volunteer Lead

Heather Buonocore, PT Volunteer Lead

F.R.E.E. Partners

T1DE.org

Morgan Trust

Helping Hands Foundation

Freedom Family Foundation