SUPPLIES OVER SEAS

Hand in Hand Ministries and the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) Foundation formed a unique partnership that went into effect January 1 of this year. The partnership will run Supplies Over Seas. SOS, as it’s called, was formerly operated solely by the GLMS Foundation to collect surplus medical supplies and equipment for distribution in the developing world (and occasionally to help with emergencies in the US) .

Hand in Hand Ministries will manage the daily operations of SOS and handle overseas duties, while the GLMS Foundation will retain the rights to the name and logo. Also, several former SOS committee members will join the HHM board.

“We’re going to be able to help more people together than we could separately,” says HHM Executive Director Wayne Fowler. “We’ve been looking to strengthen the medical portion of our mission, and this agreement accomplishes that. The Medical Society Foundation has done a great job, and they’re asking us to take it to the next level.”

Supplies Over Seas (SOS) was formed in 1994 and has sent hundreds of containers and hand-delivered shipments of life-saving supplies to more than 85 countries -- and hurricane-ravaged parts of the United States – during its history. It has responded to disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and the Kashmir Earthquake.

Part of the agreement calls for HHM to arrange immersion trips for GLMS members on which they can offer medical care to people who often go without it. HHM will also negotiate long-term relationships with overseas hospitals and clinics in need of equipment. The relationships will include training and technical help in running and repairing the equipment so it gets maximum use.

A GLMS fact-finding group went to Managua, Nicaragua, where HHM has an office, in February 2007. In January of this year, 23 doctors, nurses, medical assistants and technicians returned to Managua to conduct clinics in neighborhoods near the city garbage dump. They also visited several local public and private hospitals and have sent down medical equipment to two medical facilities.

An important part of the trip was a meeting with officials of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.
“Everyone is really excited about the alliance,” said a Foundation spokesperson. “Both trips have been outstanding, and everyone from Hand in Hand has done a superb job.

“We want to make a long-term commitment to provide healthcare overseas, and Hand in Hand in Hand Ministries has the infrastructure to help us accomplish that goal.”

The spokesperson went on to say that both HHM and the GLMS Foundation are on the cutting edge in the nonprofit world..

“You’re going to see more nonprofits working together or merging. It saves money and allows us to spend more on programs.”

In addition to its Managua office, Hand in Hand Ministries has offices in Belize City, Belize, and Auxier, KY, in the Appalachian Mountains. While still distributing hand-carried supplies and containers all over the world, SOS will likely concentrate its efforts in Central America and the Caribbean before expanding its geographical reach.

“The relationship has barely begun, and former SOS committee members are just now joining the board,” said HHM’s Fowler. “So we’re maintaining the status quo for now. However, the board will probably assign a committee to draw up a mini-strategic plan for the future of SOS.

“This partnership is going to take root and eventually blossom into a program that serves tens of thousands of people in places sorely lacking healthcare. Dr. Steven Smoger and Dr. Gerald Larsen have already joined the board. I know that we’re all looking forward to sitting down and planning future endeavors for SOS.”

Hand in Hand Ministries is in contacting Louisville area donors of materials and money to thank them for their past support of SOS. HHM, with the assistance of the GLMS, is also looking for new sources of material and financial support to help SOS move to the next level. SOS also hopes to cultivate support outside the Louisville area.

If you’d like to help, email erin@hhministries.com or call the HHM office at 502-459-9930. or 888-244-9056.