The saying is that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. At Medical Missionaries, we are always in lion mode!
Every month is busy, and March was no different. We celebrated International Women’s Day and sent supplies to the Philippines and Cameroon. Closer to home, we delivered food and supplies to Grundy, VA. We were also busy readying the launch of our annual Caring Hearts Online Auction, which goes live on April 25th.
Aside from giving you updates of the hustle and bustle of what is Medical Missionaries, this month we are shining a light on Barrett Trucking, our “warehouse” partner.
Caring Hearts Online Spring Auction Launches Soon
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 25th, when our Caring Hearts Online Auction goes live! You’ll have until Mother’s Day, May 11th, to browse and bid on our fantastic selection of items.
Our team has curated an amazing collection of auction items, including:
- Gift cards from popular spots like Walmart, Starbucks, and Dunkin’
- Exclusive experiences from local favorites like Public House, The Bone, and Monza
- Unique toys, such as Hess Trucks and collectible models.
- Household and travel essentials
- Beautiful jewelry and designer items, including a Kate Spade bag
- And many more cool gifts perfect for Mother’s Day!
Stay tuned for the auction launch and get ready to bid on these incredible items!
The link will go live on April 25th. Over the next few weeks, items will be viewable on the auction site.
Haiti News
Updates from St. Joseph Clinic
We are pleased to report that there have been no cholera patients at St. Joseph Clinic for the last several weeks. The staff was successful in treating the vast majority that came to the clinic.
St. Joseph Clinic’s two doctors deliver about 30 babies per month. In addition, Matwons (Haitian Midwives), who are supported by St. Joseph Clinic, deliver over 150 babies in nearby villages.
The majority of pregnant women visit the clinic or are seen by a Matown for wellness visits, where they receive check-ups and are given pre-natal vitamins when available.
Most of the children return for check-ups where they receive vaccinations. During these visits, the clinic staff look for children who are malnourished. When they find evidence of malnourishment, the clinic provides what support it can. One of those support items is Medika Mamba. Medika Mamba is given to malnourished children and provides the nutrition for them to thrive. At any given time, St. Joseph Clinic is providing Medika Mamba for more than 70 children.
Medical Missionaries has supported St. Joseph Clinic’s effort to purchase Medika Mamba. Each box costs $69 and contains enough nutrition to feed a child for two months. We received a Rotary grant in 2022 which has now been exhausted. You can donate to cover a box or give monthly to support this cause.
Supplies and Equipment In and Out:
Grundy: Our trailer was pulled by volunteer JD this month all the way to Grundy with food, baby supplies, and other essentials. Thank you to the Lion’s Club of Fredericksburg for their very generous donations. We also want to send out a shout out to Carolyn who purchased and delivered multiple boxes of food for our Grundy run.
As always, we collect food and other items to support the Rocklick Food Pantry in Grundy. Our doors are always open! We appreciate all donations.
Edea, Cameroon: While this mighty team was packing a 40’ sea container bound for Ad Lucem Hospital in Edea, Cameroon last Saturday, our donors were busy dropping off supplies at our Manassas office! Dr.Irwin returned to the office after finishing up at the warehouse to see all the donations waiting for him. Medical Missionaries has amazing support!
Philippines: Medical Missionaries supported a recent missionary trip to the Philippines with the Crossover Organization. Their spokesperson, Swan, shared the positive results of the trip and a photo from a fishing village they visited.
Medical Missionaries supplied the team with reading glasses, dressings, blood pressure cuffs and over-the-counter medications, among many other items.
Ophthalmologist office in Manassas: Medical Missionaries acquired a trove of ophthalmology equipment which will be sent out in the next few containers. Dr. Andy Hay donated equipment and supplies from his office in Warrenton, Va.
Medical Missionaries prides itself in giving this used medical equipment a second life. People around the world will have access to medical equipment and supplies that would be impossible otherwise. Thank you for everyone’s continued support
Community News
Barrett Trucking’s Partnership with Medical Missionaries Daniel Barrett started his business in 1961 on Ballsford Road in Manassas, Va. He and his wife, Joann, have been growing the business ever since. Joann started her career at Barrett right after high school. They have added over the years a large recycling program and extensive trailer parking areas. Their comprehensive services include container rental, deliveries, debris hauling, roll off trash service, waste collection and removal, among others.
Since Dan’s passing in 2020, Joann has been managing the very busy operation and feels it is at capacity now. If it were not for Joann Barrett, Medical Missionaries would have no “warehouse” space. We have been renting space at this site since 2016. Our “warehouse” includes 2 box trucks, 3 trailers and a 40’ sea container. Our access to this space enables Medical Missionaries to have a safe and accessible place to store equipment and supplies until we fulfill a contract with someone for these goods.
The site at Barrett allows Medical Missionaries the opportunity to bring in 40’ sea containers that arrive via truck. Once the container arrives, we load the medical supplies and equipment we have collected.
Thanks to Joann and her support, we are able to ship over 10 sea containers a year to countries all over the world. In 2025 ,we plan to ship to two sites in Cameroon, and. Nigeria, among others.
Medical Missionaries is grateful for the opportunity to work with Joann and continue its professional business relationship into the future. She has definitely supported our work of helping the poorest of the poor.
