When a devastating flood impacted First Lutheran Church in Janesville on April 17, 2026, over four feet of water filled the church's first floor, destroying nearly everything inside. Among the losses was the church's longtime Convalescent Closet, a community resource that has provided free medical equipment and supplies to those in need for decades. What could have been a permanent loss for the community instead became a story of partnership, compassion, and service.
Within days of the disaster, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Janesville stepped forward to help ensure the Convalescent Closet could continue operating by providing a temporary home for the program. "When I heard about the disaster at the church, I reached out to Chaplain Randy Booth and asked if there was anything I could do to help," said Julie Wintlend, orthopedic care coordinator at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Janesville. "Initially, I wanted to help with cleanup efforts, but it quickly became clear that the equipment and supplies were a total loss and the future of the Closet was uncertain."
With support from hospital leadership, Wintlend partnered with occupational therapist Karen Seamann, Booth, and other SSM Health team members to develop a plan to relocate the Closet to the hospital. Donations began arriving from across the community while volunteers cleaned, inspected, and organized equipment before it was distributed. "We were basically starting from scratch," Wintlend said. "The donations began pouring in — we live in an amazingly generous community."
Seamann, who has worked in health care for more than 23 years, was eager to help preserve a service she has seen benefit many patients throughout her career.
The Convalescent Closet operates on the honor system, allowing individuals to borrow equipment free of charge for as long as they need it before returning it for someone else to use. The program serves residents from multiple counties and relies entirely on donated medical equipment and supplies. "People throughout Janesville and the surrounding communities have utilized the Closet for years," Seamann said. "The church had a need, and it only made sense to help them in the same way they have helped so many others."
Seeing the impact of the Closet continues to amaze Seamann. She recalled a memorable instance when a patient who had suffered a severe leg injury needed to leave the hospital as quickly as possible to attend their son's funeral. Thanks to the Closet resource, the team was able to provide a walker that allowed the patient to safely maintain mobility precautions. "It's amazing when people offer assistance or donate items that can help someone else without expecting anything in return," Seamann said.
Booth estimates that the hospital-based Convalescent Closet assisted more than 80 people during its five months of operation. He often witnessed remarkable timing. "I've been amazed at God's timing," Booth said. "I'd receive a request for a specific item and know we didn't have one available, then the next day, or sometimes even later that same day, the exact item would be donated."
Another example of the Closet's impact involved a patient relocating to be closer to family who needed a travel wheelchair. Because a nurse needed to pick up the chair before 6:00 AM on her way to work, Booth coordinated with the hospital security team to ensure the equipment was ready and waiting. "It was wonderful to see so many departments helping," Booth said. "Our security officers, concierge team and many others played an important role in making sure people got what they needed."
For First Lutheran Church Secretary Jeanie Pomplun, SSM Health's support provided reassurance during an incredibly challenging time. "It was a big relief, not only for the church but for those who use the Closet," Pomplun said. "We had people calling and crying, asking if it was ever going to reopen. Thank you to SSM Health, Randy, Julie, Karen, and the volunteers who kept everything going after we lost our building. It was a wonderful thing for the community."
On August 31, the Convalescent Closet officially returned home when First Lutheran Church opened a donated storage shed on its property. While the church's rebuilding efforts continue, the Closet is once again operating from church property and connecting donated equipment with individuals who need it most. Wintlend said the experience highlights the power of partnerships dedicated to serving the community. "I was so happy to hear the church found a way to reopen the Convalescent Closet at its location," she said. "This resource is so important to the community. I hope we can continue working closely together because when we work together, we can do great things."
