Bill and Carol Brayer, founders of MS Helping Hands and the MSHH Donor Closet, have resigned after more than 13 years with the organization.
The 79-year-old Brayer, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for many years and also has recently experienced other health issues, has served as president/CEO of MS Helping Hands for the last 14 years. His wife Carol has been the non-profit organization’s registered agent, and the couple has also acted as MS support group co-facilitators for more than 23 years.
MSHH and the Donor Closet were born in the Brayers’ home in late 1999 in Edmonds; they are now located in downtown Edmonds at 409 Howell Way, below Petosa’s Family Grocer. Jan Vance, former executive director of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, became the organization’s executive director in May.
MS Helping Hands, which operates with more than 25 volunteers, serves as resource for people with multiple sclerosis and others with specific needs. The MSHH Donor Closet provides durable medical and mobility equipment for a minimum suggested donations, with proceeds used to help those with MS.
Over the years, Brayer received many awards and recognition including a Congressional certificate “in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community,” achievement and outreach awards from the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.a and the American Red Cross Adult Humanitarian Award.
The shadow of Bill Brayer’s initiative and tenacity will forever be present at MS Helping Hands and the Donor Closet. He is one of the very few that could have had the vision to create such a powerful organization for good in the community that serves people from such a broad area.
As a volunteer, it is incredibly satisfying to watch someone come through the doors at the Donor Closet with a need – and fifteen minutes later carry out the things that will make their life, or the life of their loved one, more bearable – at a cost that is bearable.
My specific job at the Donor Closet is to drive out and pick up the donations of equipment that other volunteers will refurbish and make available to others with a need. I always ask about the person who used the equipment, and in every case they freely share their touching story. This few minutes that I spend with them becomes the link between their loved one’s use of the equipment and next person who will be given a “helping hand” in daily living.
All of this would not happen without the foresight of Bill Brayer and thousands of lives would not have been eased had there not been an MSHH or Donor Closet.
Thanks Bill and Carol from me, the rest of the volunteers and from literally thousands of people who have used the equipment that we gather, refurbish and make available at a reasonable cost to anyone with a need.
I wish to thank all the volunteers who helped me make MSHH & the Donor Closet the most unique resource in the country for people with “SPECIFIC NEEDS.” They are the most fantastic group of men & women I ever had the pleasure to work and be associated with. This was a period (14 years) in my life I will never forget.
What Bill and Carol built, obviously with the help of many volunteers, is no small feat. The scale and depth of the equipment they have on hand, the volunteers that show up with regularity, and most importantly, the service they provide to the community of disabled is awesome and inspiring.
Cheers to Bill and Carol, and cheers to the legacy they leave behind !