'Stuff the Truck' event deemed a success

MOSES LAKE - From medical supplies to furniture and toys, hundreds of items were donated Saturday during the Assured Home Health and Hospice Foundation's "Stuff the Truck" event in Moses Lake.

MOSES LAKE - From medical supplies to furniture and toys, hundreds of items were donated Saturday during the Assured Home Health and Hospice Foundation's "Stuff the Truck" event in Moses Lake.

Foundation Executive Director Jenny Collins said she was amazed by the support from the community, adding at least three truckloads were taken to storage with several more items still to be moved.

"We just had a ton of people show up," Collins said. "Moses Lake Senior Living really stepped up and donated a lot of things as well. The whole community came together. We're beyond happy with the results."

The event was sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald.

Collins said the donations will be used to start a thrift store to help fund a medical equipment bank that will offer medical supplies free of charge. The goal is to open in March.

"The things that people really need are the home safety items," Collins said.

The Carver Family Funeral Home in Moses Lake also donated $500 during the event. All financial donations will go directly to purchasing medical equipment, Collins said.

A free lunch and entertainment were also provided during the event, and two family four-packs to Silverwood Theme Park were given.

The board members also donated $5,000 that will go toward a comfort therapy program at the Moses Lake facility. The program helps to alleviate physical and emotional pain and distress of hospice patients by incorporating massage, music and animal-assisted therapy.

Collins said the foundation is also planning a 3-on-3 basketball tournament fundraiser in October.

Assured Home Health and Hospice is still accepting donations. Anyone wishing to donate is asked to call 360-623-1560. The Moses Lake office is located at 1417 S. Pioneer Way.