Thank you to the South Puget Sound Rotary Foundation for stepping forward to fund a much-needed security solution.
Security Restored at Medical Equipment Bank Thanks to Community Support Thank you to the South Puget Sound Rotary Foundation for stepping forward to fund a much-needed security solution
The South Puget Sound Rotary Foundation has been an outstanding partner, demonstrating how community organizations can make a lasting difference. Their support shows what is possible when businesses, service clubs, and individuals come together to help others. The
Medical Equipment Bank at 2704 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia was facing a growing and persistent problem — crime.
Break-ins, vandalism, and theft had become routine. Security cameras were stolen. Tools used to repair donated medical equipment went missing. Individuals were found sleeping under outbuildings on the property. What should have been a safe place to serve the community had become a source of concern.
“The damage from broken doors and windows was adding up,” said Joyce Willms, President of the Thurston County Council on Aging, which oversees the Medical Equipment Bank. “We were also losing tools we rely on to repair equipment. Replacing them was becoming costly and was taking resources away from the people we serve.”
More than the financial impact, the Board’s greatest concern was safety. Volunteers, staff, and clients — many of them older adults—were at risk of encountering crime in progress.
“Dealing with crime was hindering our ability to serve people who rely on us for medical equipment and supplies,” Willms said.
Everything changed with the support of the South Puget Sound Rotary Foundation, which funded a critical security upgrade.
A new perimeter fence now fully encloses the property. The project also included a powered access gate, allowing staff to safely enter and exit without leaving their vehicles—an important improvement, particularly for those with mobility challenges.
The impact was immediate.
“In the three months since the fence was installed, we’ve had no security breaches, no burglaries, and no unauthorized entry after hours,” Willms said.
With the property now secure, the Medical Equipment Bank can return its full focus to its mission—
helping people in need.
Instead of repairing damage and replacing stolen equipment, volunteers and staff are once again able to dedicate their time to providing essential medical equipment and supplies—helping individuals remain safe, independent, and in their own homes.
This transformation is a powerful example of what community partnership can achieve.