Giving Back in Portage

Published on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 in Internet

June marks a significant milestone in our quest to bring high speed fiber internet to rural southwest Michigan. We've reached 10,000 customers and to celebrate, we have donated $10,000 (with partnership support from Wolverine Power Cooperative) to the internet zones that are in our last year of construction.

Here is the recipient in our Texas/Portage Internet Zone:

$2,500, Lending Hands of Michigan, Inc.

When you are injured, recovering for surgery, or otherwise need to rely medical equipment, your out-of-pocket costs can be hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

Lending Hands of Michigan, Inc. loans medical equipment, for free for up to seven months, to individuals living in Allegan, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo (including Hickory Corners), St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. “We serve anyone living in our designated counties regardless of income, disability or any other factor,” said Executive Director Linda Stinson.

John Hilliard, started the organization in 2005 out of his garage after returning from Arizona where a similar service was available. “People probably thought it was a little strange that this guy was passing out medical equipment from his house, but today, we've become staple in the community,” said Executive Director, Lucinda Stinson.

In 2018, the service loaned over 18,000 pieces of equipment saving participants over $1.2 million dollars. “That money provides a direct economic impact in our communities because it means our clients can use the money for other purchases,” she noted.

The organization also supports Talons Out Honor Flights for Michigan veterans. Talons Out, in partnership with the national Honor Flight Network, flies World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Era and terminally ill veterans to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. Lending Hands provides wheelchairs to all participants to ensure they have reliable, and comfortable, mobility throughout their visit.

Our donation will go towards general operating funds. Learn more at lendinghandsmi.org or find Lending Hands of Michigan on Facebook.

Pictured above: Board Chair Julie VanderNoot and Linda Stinson display the wheelchairs used for Talons Out. 

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