Three Rivers Community Foundation Fund Makes Sustaining Gift to KC Help

On behalf of a fundholder at Three Rivers Community Foundation, the Knights Community Hospital Equipment Lend Program (KC Help) received a $40,000 donation to support their work. For over 20 years, KC Help has provided in-home medical equipment to residents across Benton and Franklin counties, at no cost. 

“Our fundholders are all amazing and compassionate people, that’s why they work with 3RCF to plan their perpetual charitable giving,” says Abbey Cameron, Executive Director at Three Rivers Community Foundation. “Occasionally circumstances arise where a fundholder has an opportunity to make a major gift. In this case, the donor was clear they didn’t want any recognition. Instead, they wanted to highlight the services of 3RCF and the great work of KC Help. We applaud their generosity to a great organization like KC Help.”

Often, following a medical crisis or injury, an individual will be discharged but need special equipment to heal or function at home. Their doctors will prescribe equipment for their recovery that is not available through Medicare/Medicaid or the patient’s insurance. KC Help provides, free of charge or obligation, the necessary basic hospital-type equipment or physical limitation support equipment needed for convalescence or life enrichment. The program does not receive any federal or insurance funding, therefore, there are fewer restrictions. The only requirement is a medical need.  

The program has grown, from helping a few people per month, to helping over 2400 people per year. Clients of KC Help range from children to the elderly who have chronic or terminally ill conditions. Supported heavily by volunteers and equipment donations from the community, the KC Help facility has a robust stock of hospital beds, wheelchairs, scooters, commodes, toilet risers, lift chairs, Hoyer lifts, bed trapezes, safety poles, walkers, canes, crutches, air mattresses, shower chairs, and transfer benches. Clients simply come to the KC Help facility in Pasco at 324 W. Margret St. to get what they need.  If unable to come to the facility, KC Help will work with clients to deliver, setup, and pick up equipment.

The COVID-19 crisis caused a short disruption to their services, as KC Help closed for three weeks to upgrade their protocol to meet State and CDC guidelines for an essential service. This involved procuring PPE, establishing new procedures for equipment receiving and distribution, arranging curb-side service, signage, and most importantly setting up an enclosed trailer to fog all equipment coming into the facility so that equipment being subsequently distributed was sanitized free of the virus. KC Help has worked with care and ingenuity to maintain the safety of their clients, volunteers, and staff. KC Help was able to re-open quickly, so necessary medical equipment could get to those who needed it in this time of crisis. 

Jerry Rhoads, CEO of KC Help, reflected: “KC Help has operated on a shoestring budget since its conception. So much of the credit goes to those who have supported us throughout the years.  Like the gospel story of the loaves and the fishes, whenever we seem to be facing a hardship, someone like our current generous donor comes through to keep us able to stay afloat. I marvel at how we have grown to serve so many. This donation will help us retire a portion of our debt and provide us operating funds to weather this pandemic. KC Help is a community treasure. We are humbled to stand in service with you.” 
 
To learn more about KC Help visit www.kchelp.org 
​
Three Rivers Community Foundation assists charitably minded individuals with plans for perpetual giving as well as facilitating annual grant making to support our local nonprofit community. To learn more visit www.3rcf.org.