Strafford retiree aids distressed nations

Clifford Beauchamp is a middle man. And that's just the way he likes it.

For the past eight years Strafford residents Beauchamp and his wife, Jo Helen, have been discovering, collecting and distributing humanitarian goods mostly medical equipment and supplies to those in need. They have touched countless lives, both abroad and right here in Springfield.

"I kind of feel like I'm a conduit I'm being used by the Boss," he said of his works.

Helping hand

What began as a kind gesture to help a friend has turned into a full-time occupation for the retired veteran and his wife.

In January 1993, the couple decided to raise funds to help a friend, Dr. Marjorie Harmon, a former Springfield doctor who had set up a clinic in Kenya. They sent her a check for Malaria pills, and since then, he has made five trips to Kenya.

Over the years, Beauchamp estimates that he has been involved in the donation of more than $10 million in goods. But the aid provided where he ships them the countries of Romania, Albania, Moldova, Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mongolia, Kenya, Chernobyl, Vietnam, Chile, Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, China, Ghana and India is worth more than money and is what makes it worthwhile, he said.

Local cause, network

Local organizations have also benefited from Beauchamp's cause, including Lake Country Rehabilitation, Southwest Center for Independent Living, Family Violence Center, The Kitchen and Springfield Victory Mission.

"We've helped all kinds of missionary groups locally," Beauchamp added.

Not only do local groups benefit, he said, they also assist in donating. Most of the items distributed are found locally.

"There's people all around Springfield and even Bolivar that donate things to us," he said, including Cox and St. John's, as well as Citizen's Memorial Hospital in Bolivar. "They call me. They feel good about it ... when it can be of some use to somebody."

Jim Harriger, executive director of Springfield Victory Mission, said there is a network of donators in the area. His organization has been on both the giving and receiving end of Beauchamp's work.

"There are several people in our community that collect and ship things and you share things back and forth," he said of the network. "Cliff kind of transcends all of them."

Finding new uses

Most of the items, Beauchamp said, are either outdated or just not being used.

Donated items through the years have included wheel chairs, canes, walkers, beds, rubber gloves, Band-Aids, needles, eyeglasses, surgical equipment, dialysis machines, medical scissors, office and kitchen equipment, and even toys, clothes and shoes.

"I take (the donators) letters to show them where the stuff went. That way they know it didn't go around the corner and get sold," he said.

Beauchamp said he either hand delivers the goods or helps to arrange shipping of large containers. He has a contact with Dole Food Company Inc. Carlos Ponce who provides the 40-foot containers. Ponce runs a hospital in Honduras, which has received goods from Beauchamp.

"About half of (Dole's) containers get sent back empty," Beauchamp said. "It's better to take something down there than it is to send it back empty."

Over the years, Beauchamp said, he has assisted in the delivery of 33 of the 40-foot containers. He stores all of the items on his property in Strafford until he finds a home for them.

"This stuff comes my way and within a week or two somebody will be needing it," Beauchamp said.

All expenses are paid by Beauchamp. "It's out of the pocket and sometimes the pocket gets a little tight," he said. But that hasn't stopped him. "We're being used by God," he said. "I'll go until I die."