Project HERO collects and redistributes donated healthcare materials to benefit those in need.

(View our scrapbook to see our mission in action)

Project HERO cares for unused medical supplies in an environmentally sound manner. All excess, unused medical products, supplies and used medical equipment are handled in an environmentally safe manner, promoting recycling through redistribution.

Individuals, who are without insurance, or are served by a healthcare, human-/social-service agency or who are eligible for public assistance or Medicare are eligible for HERO’s services. Those on fixed incomes who care for low-income family members also may benefit from HERO’s services. Individuals requesting wheelchairs must provide a doctor’s prescription in advance (fax to 284.6112).

With an expanded focus and ever-increasing requests for service, HERO is moving to the next level, collecting, storing and redistributing viable medical goods for those in need in our community and continuing to supply local medical mission teams serving the Third World. In May of 2004, HERO moved to expanded warehouse space to be able to accept increased donations of goods and to be able to keep all supplies and DME in one location for greater efficiency in service.

From 2003 to 2007, requests for services have more than doubled each year.  The number of individuals receiving help at HERO grew from 16 in 2003 to 803 in 2007.  To keep pace with this rapid growth, HERO is building its resources to meet spiraling demands. Today, HERO is building its resources to keep up with this growth and to continue to serve more individuals in our community and region (includes nearly 40 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota).

^top

Fremstad, Joel - Chair      

General Counsel

Marcil Group                                                

Larson, Anne - Vice Chair                 

Service Learning Coordinator

Community Education

Moorhead Public Schools

Hundley, Charley - Secretary/Treasurer      

Vice President, Provider Relations

Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota

Bruce Davidson            

Administrator

Rosewood on Broadway

Thomas Jefferson

Insurance Agent

State Farm Insurance

Rhonda Ketterling, MD

Executive Partner

Meritcare Health System

Val Nielsen

Information Specialist

Freedom Resources, Inc.

Marty Riske

Owner

MJR Management Services, Inc.  

Rocky Schneider

Public Relations Coordinator

Home Builders Association

Kevin Wallevand

News Reporter

WDAY-TV

Jennifer Riley

Student

North Dakota State University

^top

Joyce Newton
Executive Director
Joyce's Email

Georgia Dufault
Operations Manager
Georgia's Email

Michelle Peterson

Warehouse/Office Assistant

Michelle's Email

Deanna Micheli, RN, BS, CNOR
Founder and Volunteer Medical Supply Coordinator

HERO Warehouse
2204 Fifth Avenue North, Suite C
Moorhead, MN 56560
218.284.6111
218.284.6112 (fax)
www.fmhero.com
Information Email

^top

In pursuing our mission, the Board of Directors, volunteers and staff are committed to:

• Saving the environment through reuse and recycling of health care supplies and equipment

• Relieving human suffering
  
• Demonstrating respect for all customers, clients and patients
  
• Collaborating with community organizations collectively to provide for those in need
  
• Maintaining a pro-active approach to improving and expanding services provided

HERO’s organizational goals include:

• Continue to expand sources of recycled supplies and equipment
  
• Assist those in need by providing donated medical supplies and equipment normally discarded
  
• Increase staff time to meet ever-increasing demands for service on the regional level
  
• Reduce the disposal of medical materials in regional landfills and incinerators
  
• Educate and assist regional facilities in benefits of waste reduction
  
• Provide service learning opportunities for volunteers

Primary objectives in meeting these goals include developing and stabilizing a diverse fund-acquisition program during the next five years that will lead to the financial self-sufficiency of Project HERO through the following efforts:

• Corporate partnerships and employer-employee matching programs

• Annual warehouse and media sponsors
  
• Handling fee to offset costs associated with leasing the facility
  
• Mission sponsorships with faith-based organizations to offset costs associated with preparation of shipments to international medical mission locations

• Partnership with Midwest Public Car Auction to accept proceeds from donated vehicles
  
• Partnership with Laser Tek Services to recycle empty ink cartridges
  
• The M*A*S*H Bash, HERO’s signature fund-raising event providing recognition to community heroes
  

• HERO’s response to individual requests for necessary healthcare supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) has increased from 16 to 803 since 2003.
• HERO has expanded the redistribution of medical supplies and DME from 59 to more than 105 partner agencies in the past two years. Agency requests increased from 147 to 256 in the same period. (Agency requests may serve up to 30 individuals per request.)
• HERO has increased its local redistribution of medical supplies and equipment from 3,362 items in 2003 to 12,079 in 2007.
• HERO continues to supply more than 48 medical mission teams with medical and surgical supplies and equipment.  In 2007 52,960 pounds of goods have been saved from disposal in local landfills.
• IN 2007, 177 individual volunteers and 42 service-learning groups dedicated nearly 1010 hours of time to HERO. Groups include student and adult volunteers from healthcare facilities, faith-based organizations and area schools and higher education institutions.

2006 Annual Report

2005 Annual Report

2004 Annual Report

^top