When Bill Brayer first began collecting and distributing

used medical equipment for people

with multiple sclerosis, he thought it was a

personal project that would last a few months. At least,

that’s what he told his wife when the couple discovered

their garage was so full they could no longer use it.

That was 12 years ago. Now Brayer’s project, better

known as Donor Closet, is no longer in his garage. After

juggling an increasing number of storage units, totaling

2,400 square feet at last count, the nonprofit moved

into warehouse space behind Petosa’s Family Grocer in

Edmonds. It now takes up 7,500 square feet. Some is

warehouse and some is workshop, but all of that space is

being used.

Donor Closet collects, refurbishes and distributes

durable medical equipment and mobility equipment to

people in need in return for a minimum suggested donation.

The service is no longer limited to those with MS.

Anyone in need can apply. Many of the people who

come to Donor Closet have fallen through the cracks of

social services such as Medicare, Medicaid or private

insurance.

The organization is unique in that it runs full-time yet

it is 100 percent staffed by volunteers. No one takes a

salary. “There is no other operation like this in the country,”

Brayer said. Suggested minimum donations, grants

and other fund-raising pays for the operating costs while

25 or more people donate their hours to ensure the

organization remains intact.

Brayer himself donates 60 to 65 working hours a

week. Although the 78-year-old downplays his own

involvement, it’s an impressive contribution from someone

who had to retire from his business in 1998 due to

poor health.

Brayer knows all about MS. He has suffered from

the disease for 58 years. When he retired, he founded

Multiple Sclerosis Community Services, later renamed

MS Helping Hands.

When a woman in one of Brayer’s support groups

passed away, her parents asked him to find someone in

need who could use the woman’s medical equipment.

He sent out an email to the people in his address book.

“Within an hour I had so many hits for that equipment

you wouldn’t believe it,” Brayer said.

That was the beginning. Soon he started getting

emails from other people who had used equipment

they hoped he would redistribute to others in need.

There were hospital beds, wheelchairs, scooters, canes,

commodes, lifts and much more. That was how Donor

Closet was born.

Most of the donated items are in perfect condition.

Others need a little tweaking here and there to make

them as good as new. Volunteers refurbish the equipment

and make sure it’s ready to go to a new home.

An almost new van was donated to help with the

transport of the equipment. A Boeing grant of $47,000

paid for a new Dodge Sprinter van and an additional

$10,000 from Boeing replaced the old unsafe wooden

shelving in the warehouse and replaced it with new

metal shelving that is secured to the wall and won’t tip

over in an earthquake.

The organization is essentially self-sufficient thanks

to generous donators. Any money left over from the

Donor Closet goes into a financial assistance fund to

help pay bills for people with MS who are experiencing

financial hardship.

It’s not surprising that the organization has received

many awards, both locally and nationally, for its humanitarian

services. It has also been the focus of many

news stories. Nevertheless, Brayer sometimes refers to

Donor Closet as “the best secret in Edmonds.” He hopes

it won’t remain a secret. He wants people to know they

are there whether those people need equipment for

themselves or are looking to donate it to others.

“We hope people will donate money, but what is

more important is time,” Brayer said. He would like to

see more people get involved and perhaps even take a

seat on the organization’s board.

To learn more about the Donor Closet or MS Helping

Hands, see www.mshelp.org  or call 425-712-1807. Donor

Closet is located at 409 Howell Way in Edmonds and is

open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Advertising Page

0001761039-01

MOBILITY

DME

HOSPITAL BEDS

MISCELLANEOUS

COOLING COLLARS

“A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS”

New & Refurbished equipment available to Everyone in

need, not just MS Patients! Items available for minimum

suggested donations! Financial assistance is available.*

MSHH is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Your donation may be tax deductible.

*SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY