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Convalescent Aid Society
3255 East Foothill Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107
Solutions Newsletter
OUR MISSION
CAS Announces New
Drop-Off Locations
Convalescent Aid Society is dedictated to
providing the free loan of durable medical
equipment (DME) for in-home use in order to:
• Improve the quality of life
• Restore and prolong mobility
• Promote continued independence and
autonomy
• Champion sustainable and cost effective
re-use, repair and recyling of DME
Find us online!
www.cas1.org • info@cas1.org
www.facebook.com/convalescentaidsociety
Join
for
e
th 90 90
CHALLENGE
$90,000
$45,000
Spring 2015
Every day, CAS turns away individuals
who need mobility assistance. Not
only do we rely on cash donations to
keep all of our equipment loans free,
but we also count on donated
equipment. When there is a gap in
donated equipment, we are not able to
meet every need.
So, in honor of our 90th year of
service, the Board of Directors has
pledged to match $90,000 in donations
Currently
at $13,000 with organizational funds of $90,000
for the purchase of much-needed
equipment. Check the “90 for 90
Challenge” box on the enclosed
donation envelope to contribute to the
challenge!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hermina Allen, President
Bobbi Abram, Vice President
John Staﬀ, Treasurer
John Higgins, Secretary
Mike Noll, Past President/Advisory
Council Chair
Cellie Brennan
David Jones
Paul LaCombe
Bob Proctor
Kedar Sathe
Phil Swan
Lyn Tom
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mark Waterson
COORDINATING WRITER
Patricia Nolan Stein
Special
thanks to our
sponsor
If you have gently used pieces of
durable medical equipment in your
house, garage or office which are no
longer needed, you can now donate
these items at three locations. CAS is
accepting donations of wheelchairs,
hospital beds, walkers, canes, bath
chairs, commodes and other
equipment.
The three organizations where you
can drop off medical equipment are:
Care 4 You
470 S. San Dimas Avenue
San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 599-0555
The Leven Oaks
120 S. Myrtle Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 358-2264
Pasadena Senior Center
85 E. Holly Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-4331
These drop-off locations provide an
alternative for people who have
equipment to donate, but aren’t near
the CAS office. All equipment
donated to CAS improves the lives of
those in need within our community.
Prolonging physical mobility and
promoting independence and
autonomy are our goals, as they have
been for 90 years.
CAS Volunteer Makes Repairs—and a Diﬀerence
Michael Pfannenstiel has found joy in a lifetime of tinkering and repairing. He
works his magic every Thursday and Friday at the Convalescent Aid Society,
taking medical equipment apart and putting it back together.
Michael previously worked as a painter, an upholsterer and a project manager
for a variety of companies. Now retired, this 30-year resident of Pasadena
began volunteering at CAS one year ago. He’s blessed the organization with
a unique ability to fix and repair many kinds of equipment. With Michael’s
talent, CAS has already placed nearly 500 pieces of equipment back into
service since he began volunteering, and his skills will only increase this figure
in the future.
Not surprising, it was a personal experience that initially made him aware of
everything CAS has to offer. “When I had my knees operated on, I discovered
CAS,” says 70-year old Michael. “My surgery was in 2009. I borrowed a
walker, a cane and crutches. After that, I would send in donations because I
appreciated CAS so much. Then one day I read the CAS envelope which
arrived in the mail, and it said I could volunteer. They were looking for
volunteers! So I came down here and applied, figuring they could use my
talents for repairing things.” Michael was immediately hired.
“I’ve been tinkering all my life,” and it seems no piece of equipment is too
daunting for Michael to repair! “I do repairs on the hard equipment —
continued on next page
www.cas1.org • (626) 793-1696 • 3255 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107
mark’s musings
“volunteer” continued
Ashley and I were at the theatre a few
weeks ago and I found myself squinting to
see the model of the rolling walker being
used by a patron in front of us. Last week,
at the farmer's market in South Pasadena
on Thursday, I sped up to catch a glimpse
of the transport wheelchair weaving through
the crowd. I’m subtle about it, but with all of
the equipment in use today, there are plenty
of opportunities for me to see what is in use
and working for people. I can’t help myself.
wheelchairs, transports, walkers—
anything we loan out that we can
salvage and repair. That’s what I
work on. It’s a constant, never ending
thing—repairing. Since we loan
equipment to those who need it for as
long as they need it, things definitely
wear out.” Michael says volunteering
as CAS has enriched his life, “CAS is
a fabulous organization and I love
being a CAS volunteer. I get a good
feeling every time I repair something,
knowing it will be used again. This
organization is so great. It has
nothing to do with how much money WHEELCHAIRS READY FOR
LOAN IN THE CAS WAREHOUSE
you make or how much you’re worth.
If you need medical equipment, we give it to you free of charge.”
Needless to say, I think about DME a lot in
my role as Executive Director at CAS. But, I
didn’t always, and I’ll bet that you didn’t
either until you or someone close to you
needed mobility assistance. Once you
realize that you need something, isn’t it
wonderful to know that CAS is there to meet
the need?
Michael admits that his analytical mind is a blessing! “I can put almost
anything together. Or I’ll attempt it. I can figure things out real
Unofficially, I’m calling this our “operations
quickly,” he says. And he feels a sense of accomplishment,
issue” because it explores ways that CAS is
knowing equipment he’s repaired will continue to be
working to get more equipment out to
used. “When we have a perfectly good wheelchair
those that need it. From increasing
that needs only one part to get it working again,
our repair capacity, to making it
it’s a joy to fix it. I just love helping and giving
easier for individuals to donate
ways you can
to others. I’m no more important here
used equipment, I am always
volunteer and make back
thinking about this stuff.
than anyone else. I love the staff and the
a difference…
volunteers. I drove past this place for many
So, if I made you
years but I never knew what CAS was until I
1. Pick up equipment
uncomfortable because you
needed my own medical equipment. It’s a
saw me staring at you
2. Assist with social media
revelation to know you can help.” To make
around town recently, please
3. On-site customer service the repair room at CAS more efficient,
know it is all for the greater
Michael even donated his own tools.
4. Equipment repair
good.
5
Warmly,
5. Community outreach
Mark Waterson
P.S. Please enjoy the gratuitous picture of
my family.
In his spare time, Michael putters around his
house in Upper Hastings Ranch. He goes to the
gym four days a week and enjoys shooting
billiards. He keeps active in all aspects of his life,
“When I retired, I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing.
I’ve started reading books again. I’m doing some of the things I never
had time to do before.” And he has logical advice for people who
want to enrich their lives by volunteering. “Do it anywhere. But only
do something that interests you. There are two reasons—it makes
you feel good to give back. And you don’t have the responsibilities
you have in a regular paying job. Most people who volunteer do it
because they want to do it.”
Where does CAS equipment come from?
CAS APPRECIATION
“I appreciate all the loving, caring
people who have helped me make
sure mom was safe at home.”
Jacqueline Kelsey
“It is a comfort to know that the
Convalescent Aid Society is available
when there is an emergency.”
The League Family
75%
EQUIPMENT
DONATIONS
15%
RESTRICTED
GRANT
FUNDING
“Thank you for making my life easier
by allowing me to use your
equipment.”
Elicia Delval
10%
REPAIRS
As you can see, we rely on donations for the vast majority of
our equipment. In order to make donating equipment as
convenient as possible we have added new drop-off locations
(as announced on the front page).
“The service you provide is wonderful,
and your staff is very kind!”
Sharon Oropeza
“Words cannot express my gratitude
for all you have done …I appreciate all
the loving, caring people who helped
me make sure mom was safe at
home.”
Anonymous
DID YOU KNOW?
During the depths of the Depression, CAS oﬀered
interest-free micro loans to area residents. Terms
were modest: $1 a month on a $15 loan.
Drop by our Pasadena oﬃce to learn more about
our nine decades serving Pasadena and the San
Gabriel Valley!
Michael says he never volunteered before joining CAS. “This is my
first volunteer job and it’s a good one. I enjoy it and hope to do it as
long as I can.” And Michael commends CAS for its longtime
presence in Pasadena and outlying communities. “This is the only
organization of its kind. What CAS provides will always be needed.
And it’s a great joy to help those in need.”
Photo by Lea Murphy
If you are interested in sharing your talents with CAS, call us today
and let us know what you are interested in. We’ll find a way to utilize
your skills!
www.cas1.org • (626) 793-1696 • 3255 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107
www.cas1.org • (626) 793-1696 • 3255 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107