By Maria Prato, Staff Writer
JAMESBURG Over the years, Debbie DeMarco’s 16-year-old son Jagger, who suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neuromuscular disorder, had accumulated a stockpile of used medical equipment he no longer needs.
But through a chance meeting, Dr. DeMarco has discovered a way to recycle her son’s used medical equipment.
While collecting donations for her annual coat drive for needy residents, Dr. DeMarco, a local chiropractor, met a woman affiliated with Community Access to Rehabilitation Equipment, a program run by the nonprofit Ewing-based organization, Your Resource.
On Saturday and again on Aug. 21, Dr. DeMarco, representing the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition, will host a used medical equipment drive at the Jamesburg Farmers Market.
”It’s been in the works for months,” she said. “Jamesburg is the center of Monroe. Many of the senior developments have equipment that is perhaps still unusable.”
The purpose of the drive is to collect new and gently used durable medical equipment to be resold at an extremely discounted rate or donated to income eligible individuals, as determined by Your Resource.
The regional demand is great for wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches, portable ramps, shower chairs, reachers, shoehorns and devices that help with hearing, speech and vision impairment, she said.
For individuals unable to transport their equipment, Dr. DeMarco has agreed to make offsite pickups for larger items such as scooters, power chairs, commodes, lifts and hospital beds.
Dr. DeMarco is also on the hunt for unopened medical supplies, for instance, bandages, dressings and latex gloves.
While the drive provides for low-income individuals, it also furthers the green movements that have taken root in the local area, she said.
”It’s a merger of things I care very much about recycling equipment to people who need it most, the town of Jamesburg and fresh local food available for eating it’s a win for everyone,” Dr. DeMarco said.
Tax receipts will be available at the Farmers Market, held weekly at the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg, 175 Gatzmer Ave.
The drive will run for the duration of the market from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For questions or comments, contact Dr. DeMarco at 732-616-6117.
