Dietert Center gets medical equipment donated for lending program

When the catastrophic July 4 floodwaters damaged the entire first floor of Kerrville’s Dietert Center, much of the free medical equipment lending program’s inventory was lost or damaged. TBI Warrior Foundation, located in Fair Oaks Ranch, stepped up to host a medical equipment drive to respond to the needs of Hill Country residents.

On Friday afternoon, the TBI Warrior Foundation and a convoy of partners worked to restock the medical equipment program to enable continued loaning of approximately 2,300 pieces of equipment each year through the Dietert Center.

“We serve people with disabilities,” said TBI Warrior Foundation president and CEO Victor Medina. “When the floods happened, we immediately thought of the need that would arise.”

TBI Warrior Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the quality of life of veterans, non-veterans and children living with brain injury and their caregivers through community integration, education and advancement programs.

“We hope to create empowerment in the community,” Medina said of the donation. “Even though you might not know us, we are part of your support network.”

Most of the donated equipment was sourced wholesale from Champs Medical in San Antonio.

“They donated some and gave us a discount on 120 pieces,” said Jayci Hart, programs and community engagement manager for TBI Warrior Foundation. “The rest came from amazing community collaboration and other donations.”

Other partners who contributed to the medical equipment donation to Dietert Center include the UPS Store at Leon Springs, Genesis Counseling, Alamo Head Injury Association, Boring Guns, Esposas Militares Hispanas USA Armed Forces, Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, I Care San Antonio, Lovorn Law Firm, Military Order of the Purple Heart Alamo Chapter 1836, Spotted Deer Coffee, Texas Diaper Bank, Vista Swim Academy, Vitas Healthcare, MaxWell Medical Services, Premier Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Health and more than 35 volunteers.

Dietert Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization at 451 Guadalupe St. with a mission to proactively support healthy aging by providing information, services, activities and rewarding volunteer opportunities that enhance quality of life. The facility is currently closed to the public for onsite activities while flood damage is being repaired.

After being established, the center recognized a significant gap in access to essential medical equipment for local residents.

Over time, the center not only addressed this issue, but it developed a service that has become indispensable for the area’s population. While many senior citizens utilize the program, the free medical equipment lending often serves students with sports injuries.

Since its creation in 1969, the center has been loaning medical equipment to residents in need. What began as a simple offering gradually grew into a comprehensive program, now led by Paula Harley, the center’s community services coordinator.

Meals on Wheels continues weekday deliveries to homebound seniors, and Take 5 Day Respite Care is taking place offsite. Some programs are meeting temporarily at alternate locations.

For more information, visit www.dietertcenter.org, follow the organization on Facebook or call 830-792-4044.

To learn more about TBI Warrior Foundation, visit www.tbiwarriorfoundation.org.

This article was originally published in the July 26, 2025 edition of the Kerrville Daily Times.