Cleo’s Cupboard success contributes to new splint bath at Cascade Medical

LEAVENWORTH — Cascade Medical’s Rehabilitation Department will soon have a new splint bath, helping to meet a growing need of splinting services for patients recovering from injury, surgery, and neurological conditions.

Funding for the new equipment comes from proceeds of Cleo’s Cupboard, a community supported gift bar in the hospital’s first-floor lobby. For nearly 60 years, the gift bar has sold handmade goods donated by local artists and crafters, using the proceeds to support hospital equipment and program needs.

The splint bath can be used by occupational or physical therapists to soften thermoplastic splinting material and mold custom splints for patients. The new equipment is expected to improve patient care and operational efficiency by enabling clinicians to create custom splints on site rather than rely on outside referrals.

Having this on site service could offer faster, individualized care with reduced travel and lower overall treatment costs for the hospital and patients. With more comfortable fittings and faster application, the hospital anticipates earlier mobilization, reducing pain and improving healing outcomes.

The splint bath is the second fundraising project Cleo’s Cupboard has completed within the past year, after community volunteers stepped up to revive the gift bar. Earlier this year, the Cupboard supported the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Cascade Medical’s mobile clinic, helping expand AED access and improve response times during cardiac emergencies. 

The gift bar has a long history; it was started by the H.H. Ladies, also known as the Hilfreiche Hausfrauen, translated as the “Helpful Housewives,” who formed in the 1960s, according to previous Echo reporting. Over the decades, the Cupboard has helped fund a wide range of hospital needs, including a baby scale, a hydrotherapy pool filtration system, and a blood warmer used to warm fluids for patients.

However, as members continued aging out over time, sustaining the gift bar became increasingly challenging. Last September, community volunteers Sandy Houston and Tina Richardson stepped up to renew support for Cleo’s Cupboard, raising awareness and drawing in a new wave of contributions from local crafters and artists. With new goods such as ceramics, photography prints and baby goods, Houston said the purchases have gone up accordingly.

“We are just so grateful for the overwhelming support,” said Houston.

According to Houston, Cleo’s Cupboard has brought in repeat contributions from about 25 different local crafters and artists since the revival. So far, the Cupboard has made approximately $2,500 in sales, adding to the balance started by the original H.H. Ladies.

“It’s so rewarding to see,” said Houston. “People are so kind.”

The team behind Cleo’s Cupboard hopes that the renewed support will carry the tradition for generations to come. Local community members interested in contributing can drop off handcrafted items at the Cascade Medical reception desk or contact Sandy Houston at 509-670-5521 for more information. Cleo’s Cupboard is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media