Sustainability at Midwest Mission
Sustainability is an important part of our Mission here at Midwest Mission.
Billboards as Tarps
Billboards are a common sight when you are driving. They advertise a variety of products and the advertisements are always changing. But what happens to the old advertisement when it is replaced? Billboards are made with either wood, steel, or a combination of both. The advertisement itself is typically printed on a vinyl sheet. When the advertising company, Lamar Advertising, takes down these vinyl sheets, they send them to us! We then store these vinyl sheets in our warehouse. We send them out and they will be used as tarps to help people across the globe when disaster strikes.
Bleacher wood as desks
When a school redoes (?) their gymnasium, they might replace their old wooden bleachers. Here at Midwest Mission, we accept donations of this bleacher wood. Donating this bleacher wood could save an organization upwards of $15,000. Once the wood arrives at Midwest Mission, it is sent to our desk shop where our volunteers scrape the gum off (seriously!), remove any metal pieces, and plane, sand, and cut the pieces to size. Our volunteers then prepare the pieces to be assembled into desks. Once assembled, the desks are checked to make sure they are good quality and the pieces are then labeled for easy re-assembly. Then the desks are taken apart for easy shipping. Each desk is then coated in polyurethane, and individually wrapped with all the pieces necessary for one desk. These desks are then shipped around the world where students are able to enjoy the hard work of our volunteers. These students then have a clean, hard surface to work on that provides a more functional learning environment. If you know of a school that is removing their wooden bleachers, contact us at office@midwestmission.org
Refurbishing sewing machines
Many of us have sewing machines that we use for a hobby, but to people around the world, a sewing machine can be a saving grace. We accept donations of new or used electric or treadle sewing machines that are in good working condition. These sewing machines are then sent to our sewing machine shop at our main location where volunteers make repairs. These repaired sewing machines are then sent to nonprofit organizations globally where they will be used to teach people how to sew so they can make items for their families or to sell.
Refurbishing bicycles
For many around the world, modes of transportation are very limited. This can cause issues keeping a job or being able to provide for their families. Here at Midwest Mission, we accept donations of new or used bicycles in good working condition. These bicycles will then be sent to our bicycle repair shop where our volunteers will make repairs. These bicycles can then be requested by anyone who is in need of transportation.
Plarn sleeping mats
We all likely have loads of plastic bags from the grocery store that we have no idea what to do with. Here at Midwest Mission, we use these plastic bags to make Plarn. Plarn is thin strips that are cut from plastic bags that are then tied together to make something that resembles yarn. This plarn is then strung up on a loom that our volunteers make and is woven into a sleeping mat. These sleeping mats are then sent globally when a disaster happens so people have something to sleep on.
Medical Equipment
We all might have some medical or orthopedic equipment that we are holding on to just in case we or someone we love gets injured. But this equipment that we are holding onto for someday, someone needs it today. From a lack of mobility to being unable to work or attend school, their daily life, and potentially their family's
lives are disrupted. We want to provide tools for healing and empower continued mobility, which provides dignity and independence. Here at Midwest Mission, we accept donations of new or used medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, nursing homes, and individuals. This medical supplies and equipment will be given out upon request to anyone who needs it. Some of the items that we accept donations of include walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, home care or hospital beds, other orthopedic supplies like walking boots, slings, braces, knee scooters. If you have medical equipment that is not listed, call 217-358-6675 or email office@midwestmission.org to see if we can collect it!
Some of the medical supplies that we accept donations of are brand new items that are no longer needed from hospitals or nursing homes. (story)
If you or anyone you know has any medical equipment or supplies that you would like to donate visit Link to collect and donate page.
Emergency Equipment
No one should have to fight fires in jeans and a t-shirt, but in many places around the world, this is a reality. Many firefighters globally do not have the proper gear to be able to safely fight fires. We collect emergency gear and equipment, such as fire equipment, that is expired or no longer in use. We will then send this emergency gear to countries around the world where people are in need of resources to safely respond to emergencies. Some items that we collect include pumper fire trucks and ambulances in good working condition, personal protective gear like coats, pants, gloves, boots, and helmets. We also accept donations of breathing apparatuses, exhaust fans, and tools like axes, jaws of life, etc.
This expired gear or equipment will only be sent outside of the United States. We have a liability and release form available. If you know of a fire department with gear or equipment that is expired or no longer needed, email us at office@midwestmission.org
Cloth Diapers
We all might have some medical or orthopedic equipment that we are holding on to just in case we or someone we love gets injured. But this equipment that we are holding onto for someday, someone needs it today. From a lack of mobility to being unable to work or attend school, their daily life, and potentially their family's
lives are disrupted. We want to provide tools for healing and empower continued mobility, which provides dignity and independence. Here at Midwest Mission, we accept donations of new or used medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, nursing homes, and individuals. This medical supplies and equipment will be given out upon request to anyone who needs it. Some of the items that we accept donations of include walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, home care or hospital beds, other orthopedic supplies like walking boots, slings, braces, knee scooters. If you have medical equipment that is not listed, call 217-358-6675 or email office@midwestmission.org to see if we can collect it!
Some of the medical supplies that we accept donations of are brand new items that are no longer needed from hospitals or nursing homes. (story)
If you or anyone you know has any medical equipment or supplies that you would like to donate visit Link to collect and donate page.
Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
No one should have to fight fires in jeans and a t-shirt, but in many places around the world, this is a reality. Many firefighters globally do not have the proper gear to be able to safely fight fires. We collect emergency gear and equipment, such as fire equipment, that is expired or no longer in use. We will then send this emergency gear to countries around the world where people are in need of resources to safely respond to emergencies. Some items that we collect include pumper fire trucks and ambulances in good working condition, personal protective gear like coats, pants, gloves, boots, and helmets. We also accept donations of breathing apparatuses, exhaust fans, and tools like axes, jaws of life, etc.
This expired gear or equipment will only be sent outside of the United States. We have a liability and release form available. If you know of a fire department with gear or equipment that is expired or no longer needed, email us at office@midwestmission.org
Solar Panels
We all might have some medical or orthopedic equipment that we are holding on to just in case we or someone we love gets injured. But this equipment that we are holding onto for someday, someone needs it today. From a lack of mobility to being unable to work or attend school, their daily life, and potentially their family's
lives are disrupted. We want to provide tools for healing and empower continued mobility, which provides dignity and independence. Here at Midwest Mission, we accept donations of new or used medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, nursing homes, and individuals. This medical supplies and equipment will be given out upon request to anyone who needs it. Some of the items that we accept donations of include walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, home care or hospital beds, other orthopedic supplies like walking boots, slings, braces, knee scooters. If you have medical equipment that is not listed, call 217-358-6675 or email office@midwestmission.org to see if we can collect it!
Some of the medical supplies that we accept donations of are brand new items that are no longer needed from hospitals or nursing homes. (story)
If you or anyone you know has any medical equipment or supplies that you would like to donate visit Link to collect and donate page.
Recycling
No one should have to fight fires in jeans and a t-shirt, but in many places around the world, this is a reality. Many firefighters globally do not have the proper gear to be able to safely fight fires. We collect emergency gear and equipment, such as fire equipment, that is expired or no longer in use. We will then send this emergency gear to countries around the world where people are in need of resources to safely respond to emergencies. Some items that we collect include pumper fire trucks and ambulances in good working condition, personal protective gear like coats, pants, gloves, boots, and helmets. We also accept donations of breathing apparatuses, exhaust fans, and tools like axes, jaws of life, etc.
This expired gear or equipment will only be sent outside of the United States. We have a liability and release form available. If you know of a fire department with gear or equipment that is expired or no longer needed, email us at office@midwestmission.org