Barb: The Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet is always so thankful for the support of our community. The fundraising, monetary donations and hours of volunteering have kept us afloat during some difficult times.

So, it is not easy for me to give a “Barb” to some within our community.

We have encountered a number of “non-cancer” clients who for one reason or another, refuse to return our equipment. We, in good faith, allow all “non-cancer” clients within our service area the opportunity to borrow our equipment for six months. At the end of six months it must be returned, as we do not give extensions.

We strive to help as many people as possible and without that ability, we become ineffective.

Our “non-cancer” clients are given a reminder call when their return due date is approaching. Most appreciate the call and our assistance in providing the equipment.

However, the few who refuse to return our equipment do not answer their phone, call goes to voice mail or phone numbers disconnected. Some agree to bring back our equipment but then never do, even when we send them a letter requesting a return.

We are unable to ask for a deposit on our equipment, as we are a charity organization and rely on the integrity of our clients.

Sadly, we even had a client who borrowed a knee walker, then watched us through a curtain as we knocked on the door to retrieve our equipment; it was never returned.

As an example, we have 13 over-the-bed tables in our inventory. Some are correctly still in use while others — approximately eight — are in the hands of those ignoring our guidelines. Hence, others in need leave empty-handed.

Over-the-bed tables are just one example. Wheelchairs are also an issue; some come back in terrible condition or are simply AWOL. Our equipment is clean and in good shape. Clients sign an inventory card that says “the loaned equipment will come back in the shape it was loaned out”; that’s a misnomer. We have seen wheelchairs come back beyond repair.

We are at our wits’ end. We finally are taking our case to the community as calls and letters go unanswered or ignored.

PLEASE, if you have a piece of our equipment that is overdue, return it. Others are relying on us for help, just like we helped you.

Remember, we are a charity organization trying to assist our community in all ways possible.