"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> InterVol

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The New Faces of InterVol

We are excited to announce that officially as of Monday, InterVol has two new staff members of the RUMS (Recovery of Unused Medical Supplies) Program. Andrew Coniglio is a recent University of Michigan graduate who is working his way towards medical school and in the process will spend some time interning with InterVol. And Simone Stickler, a 2009 University of Notre Dame graduate, will take over the position of the RUMS Program Manager. Both Andrew and Simone are excited to expand the reach of the collection program as we implement system-wide program at Strong Memorial Hospital and grow the Rochester Med RxCycle program at Rochester General Hospital.

Simone will be updating the blog on a regular basis to thank our volunteers and donors of medical supplies and equipment, as well as recognize the organizations that are benefiting from all of Rochester's generosity.

For more information visit our website at www.intervol.org or feel free to contact Andrew (andrew.coniglio@intervol.org) or Simone (simone.stickler@intervol.org) with any questions.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Our Lynda Howland & her personal mission to serve others!

A noteworthy article written a couple of years ago about our own Lynda Howland and her work here at home and in Aftrica. Lynda continues to personally support InterVol and many clinics/communities around the world---thank you for your tireless support!

Woman seeks help for two clinics in UgandaDolores Orman Staff Writer (June 14, 2004) —
PITTSFORD, NY

— For nearly 20 years, Lynda Howland has been traveling the world, especially to developing nations.

Howland is constantly looking for ways to help those in need. “I have seen the whole world,” she said. “I don’t want to die knowing I didn’t help people as much as I could.”

Through her own purchases and items contributed by others, Howland, 60, has donated books, school supplies and clothing to schools in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

And, since 2002, she has been donating clothing to two orphanages for children with AIDS or whose parents died of the disease, one orphanage in Botswana and the other in Zimbabwe.

Now the retired child protective worker with the Monroe County Department of Social Services is tackling another project and hoping the medical community will help.

She is gathering medical supplies to donate to two clinics in Uganda.

One is the Kampala Hospice, which serves terminally ill cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The other is a clinic being established in Abayudaya, a community with a large number of Africans who practice Judaism.

Howland wants to collect as much as possible by the time she leaves for Uganda on June 30 with three friends. It will be her eighth trip to Africa.

She has obtained some things, such as a large supply of syringes, through InterVol, a Rochester-based nonprofit organization that recycles unused medical supplies for distribution to charities at home and abroad.

But the “main need” is items related to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, Howland said.

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region Inc. already has donated 1,000 condoms for HIV/AIDS prevention.

”I just thought it was a worthwhile endeavor,” said Rick Bartell, Planned Parenthood’s regional director of education and outreach.

He said he looked over e-mails Howland had received from Africa and was impressed that she “had a lot of good contacts on the ground there — grass-roots connections.”

Sue Morrison, a neighbor of Howland’s in Pittsford, has been donating clothes from her children, who now are in college, and other items for the past few years.

”She does a lot with the resources she has,” Morrison said of Howland. “If everybody did just a little, we wouldn’t have the sadness in the world that we have.”

Individuals or organizations interested in donating medical supplies, especially HIV/AIDS-related items, to the two African clinics should contact Howland by phone at (585) 381-7420 or e-mail at: lynhowl@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Staying Current!!

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Rnews Interview

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Thank you Diana Palotas for helping to spread the InterVol message.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006


Xunantunich  Posted by Picasa

Matt & John eating our favorite chips.... Posted by Picasa

Dr. Ralph Pennino, Dr. Bob Coye & Dr. Jesus Ken discussing InterVol's work at Western Regional Hospital. Posted by Picasa

Dr. Phyllis Harris being interviewed by the local Belizean news team. Posted by Picasa

A gift of thanks for putting up with all of us for a whole week! Posted by Picasa

A tribute to InterVol on the wall in the nurses lounge. Posted by Picasa

A word of warning to all the nurses..... Posted by Picasa

Emmy & Helen receiving their gifts from the nursing staff at Western Regional Hospital. Posted by Picasa

Dr. John Girotto (Golisano Childrens Hospital) with patient Jenny and her mom post op. Posted by Picasa

Friday, May 26, 2006


Computer lab at Scout Headquarters, Belize City. Posted by Picasa

Matt & Sharon at the computer lab in Belize City Scout Headquarters. Sharon is the mom of Sharlin and has come to the lab to have us help her to set up an email account so she can keep in contact with us and Dr. John Girotto.. He will see her in one year... Posted by Picasa

Monkey Love..... Posted by Picasa

Leah thought maybe she could swing on this vine---- Max is showing her the way! Posted by Picasa

Poor Virginia cooped up all day working on her laptop!! Posted by Picasa

Matt & Leah Gacioch with Sean Pennino trying to get in on the action!! Posted by Picasa

Where we had lunch! Sorry Sean we had to leave the hospital lunch!!! Posted by Picasa

We were a little crowded on the way back to the Jungle Dome after picking up all the boxes to deliver to the Scouts! Posted by Picasa

Francesca & Leah getting in on the action! Posted by Picasa

Matt, Cindy & Sean getting ready for Jenny's surgery.... and keeping things light! Posted by Picasa

We stay with 'em every step of the way... from the clinic, to the ward, to pre-op, post- op and discharge... Jenny can't get away from our smiling faces! It's a good thing she likes us! Posted by Picasa

Funny faces make EVERYONE smile!!! Posted by Picasa

Jenny's getting ready for surgery with a little company from her new friends Francesca Pennino & Leah Gacioch Posted by Picasa

She looks Wonderful--happy, healthy and ready to go home!! Posted by Picasa

Sharlin and Sharon getting ready to go home today after only ONE night in the hospital! Say hello to her new friend Seanise---she named it Sean after Sean Pennino and the ise comes from her name. She thought it would help her to remember how kind he was to her.  Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 25, 2006


It's like an internet cafe in our room.... we typically have 2-3laptops going and a number of different Skype conversations.... IN the middle of the jungle! Posted by Picasa

Playing Uno until her eyes fell shut! Busy day at the US Embassy and with the Prime Ministers wife. Posted by Picasa

Peace, Love, Belize & Uno! Posted by Picasa

Leah "Skyping" with Kevin.... don't you LOVE technology! Posted by Picasa

Yes it is that big! Posted by Picasa

HAS to be the BIGGEST moth in the world! Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch, Sean Pennino and Jenny...... she is having some correction of the burn on her left arm... she was very nervous today... but after seeing these boys she was feeling much better! Posted by Picasa

He is so cool.... admitted him today and will have surgery tomorrow.... looking forward to playing uno with him in the morning while we wait!! Posted by Picasa

ONe of our favorite patients and her mom---- she had surgery today and I am looking forward to checking up on them both tomorrow! Posted by Picasa

Jaime and Sean getting psyched up for an exciting day with the kids at the hospital! Posted by Picasa

ONe of our machines from Rochester that came in the Shipment in February.... Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch and his newly found addiction....I'm not sure what he will do when he has to go back to the States..... Posted by Picasa

Dr. John Girotto making his morning rounds on the childrens ward at Western Regional Hospital Posted by Picasa

Baby Angelena..... she is ONE TOUGH COOKIE!!! Posted by Picasa

Matt, Sean and Kaywan... Posted by Picasa

Keith and Kaywan on the childrens ward Posted by Picasa

Kaywan and his "brothers and sisters".... Posted by Picasa

Pre-surgery---Thank you Dr. Phyllis Harris for the donation of the stuffed animals... it made Michael's day! Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch and Sean Pennino trying to look VERY official!! Posted by Picasa

Dr. John Girotto.... getting ready for another busy day at Western Regional Hospital.... Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 23, 2006


What a beautiful young family! Posted by Picasa

Still more supplies!! Posted by Picasa

Waiting to see the doctor.... Posted by Picasa

Waiting to see the doctor..... what a wonderful family! Posted by Picasa

The new US Embassy in Belmopan Belize Posted by Picasa

Do we look like sisters? Oddly enough many kids thought so today.... We had so much fun at the clinic today hanging out with the kids and talking with the families that were waiting to see the surgeons. So often people forget how scary it can be to meet someone new---we tried to make it a little easier! Posted by Picasa

Carrying the supplies into the Western Regional Hospital this morning getting ready for the surgical clinic tomorrow. Posted by Picasa

Leah Gacioch and Jennifer--- waiting for the surgeons at the clinic in Belmopan's Western Regional Hospital Posted by Picasa

Monday, May 22, 2006


If you like these pictures--- check out www.intervol.blogspot.com to see more from our adventures with the Scouts on Sunday in Belize City!! Posted by Picasa

cindy and Emmy enjoying a little walk with nature at the Jungle Dome Posted by Picasa

Leah Gacioch & Francesca Pennino having fun waiting for the doctors!! Posted by Picasa

Matt, Leah, Sean and Fancesca with me at the new computer lab in Belize City Scouting Headquarters on Sunday. Posted by Picasa

Matt & Leah Gacioch "Skyping" their parents from the Jungle Dome--- "Hi mom and dad" Posted by Picasa

Leah, (our new friend Jennifer) and me--Jaime! Having fun waiting for the docs!! Posted by Picasa

InterVol team at the market buying rations for all of those waiting to see the doctors! Posted by Picasa

InterVol Team 2006 Posted by Picasa

InterVol team taking invetory of the supplies that we brought from home. Posted by Picasa

Fancesca Pennino & Leah Gacioch getting ready for their first day of screening at Western Regional Hospital (Belmopan, Belize) Posted by Picasa

Sea Scout figuring out how to save!! Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch with the scouts in Belize City on Sunday Posted by Picasa

Our 1st day at the hospital screening patients for surgery.... Posted by Picasa

Welcome to Belize!! Posted by Picasa

Emmy, Mike and Helen in Customs BELIZE City Posted by Picasa

Helen having fun on the plane Posted by Picasa

Waiting for the shuttle in Charlotte on Friday night.... YES, we had ALL of these boxes, plus 12 people PLUS 12 additional pieces of luggage AND carry-on's to truck ALL the way to the hotel!! It was truly an adventure---- it's a good thing we had such awesome help! Posted by Picasa

Virginia trying to find all of her belongings in the dark in the Charlotte hotel.... trying to wait up 10 other people AND be ready for a 6am shuttle was VERY difficult with no electricity! Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch playing "football" with the boys at the Jungle Lodge..... Posted by Picasa

Cindy, Emmy & Virginia awaiting their plane in Rochester Posted by Picasa

Francesca and Sean Pennino waiting for our plane in Charlotte on Saturday.....  Posted by Picasa

Matt Gacioch holding down the bags in Charlotte---Thanks Matt for all of your help!! Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 21, 2006


Sean, Francesca & Ralph Pennino in Rochester getting ready for the adventure in Belize! Posted by Picasa

Cindy Gordon, Matt & Leah Gacioch in Rochester on Friday afternoon!! Posted by Picasa