THE DICKINSON COUNTY Cancer Unit Loan Closet will celebrate 25 years in operation next week by hosting an open house, along with tours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 201 E. Breitung Ave. in Kingsford. Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet President Diane Schabo gets the open house sign ready for next week. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — The Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet will celebrate 25 years of serving the local community by hosting an open house over five days next week.

The non-profit invites the public to tour the facility at 201 E. Breitung Ave. in Kingsford from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteers will be on hand to explain services available and answer any questions, Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet President Diane Schabo said.

“We really want the community to see how their donations of money, equipment or other supplies are being used,” Schabo said, “and show how important they are, as it’s helping so many people.”

Schabo said it’s also a way for the Cancer Closet to express appreciation to area businesses and individuals for the support they have received the past 25 years.

The Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet was founded in 2000 by Lorraine Luba and Ruth Weber, after the American Cancer Society moved from the local area.

Schabo said the duo agreed to take the equipment that was left in stock and ran the non-profit out of Weber’s home.

“After that it started snowballing and before they knew it they had a loan closet,” Schabo said.

After outgrowing Weber’s home, they were offered a large space in the Garrett Eye Center building rent free.

About eight years ago, they moved to their current location.

“It took a lot of volunteer manpower and financial assistance to get us to where we are today with this building,” she said. “It needed a lot of upgrades and we wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.”

The Loan Closet assists cancer and non-cancer patients with a variety of services that include medical equipment at no charge, as well as some forms of financial help to cover travel expenses or prescription costs.

Items they have available include wheelchairs, walkers, bed rails, canes, commodes, crutches, overbed tables, shower chairs, toilet risers, transfer benches, walkers, Ensure supplement drinks, incontinence pads and underwear, wigs, hats and scarves.

Schabo said equipment can be lent out to non-cancer clients for up to six months if available.

The closet also takes donations and new pieces of equipment.

“We are always in need of Ensure and medium incontinence pads,” she said. “We really go through those items fast.”

The services are available to all residents of Dickinson County and those with Aurora, Florence, Niagara and Spread Eagle addresses in Wisconsin.

Non-residents, however, are welcome to any of the items in the “free area” of the loan closet’s equipment room.

“The open house gives visitors an opportunity to check out all the equipment and supplies they offer to their clients,” Schabo said.

They will have refreshments and treats. John Koehler of Frog Country Radio will do a live broadcast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.

Schabo noted they need volunteers, as several have had to recently step aside. Anyone interested in volunteering for a few hours a week can reach out to Schabo at the closet or stop in during the open house.

They encourage everyone to visit them during the week. “I’m amazed how many people still don’t know we are here,” she said. “This will provide the opportunity for more people to learn what we are all about.”

Those unable to attend during the open house still can stop in the Loan Closet during regular hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To contact the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet, call 906-776-0966 or email to cancerloancloset@gmail.com. If a situation is an emergency, those calling should leave a message and a board member will be in contact for other arrangements.