By Ted Bordelon
Wire Managing Editor
In today’s economy, most small, family-owned businesses are concerned only with the bottom line.
And, perhaps, justifiably so.
Huntingdon Valley resident Andy Scolnick, owner of Seventh Street Medical Supply, however, maintains a “pay it forward” philosophy, especially during the holiday season.
Earlier this month, he heard a story on a Fox 29 newscast about a 45-year-old man named John Allen whose wheelchair was stolen from him as he waited for a trolley at 41st Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia.
Allen has nerve damage since taking a fall a few months ago, and has been unable to walk, since.
“To stoop as low as to steal someone’s medical device, you must be in a really bad way,” Scolnick said. “The way the economy is, people do things that are totally not right but unfortunately that’s just how it is these days.”
Scolnick sprang into action, and offered a replacement wheelchair for free to Allen, who had been using a loaner in the interim. He delivered the chair to Allen while accompanied by a Fox 29 news crew.
So why did Scolnick help a complete stranger?
“I do it because it feels good to help somebody,” Scolnick said. “I also think there’s something to say for karma and the fact that there aren’t too many family businesses out there that really care.”
If you think this is a one-time publicity stunt, consider a few of the six other people who have been helped by Scolnick in the past year.
A disabled 63-year-old woman who had to crawl up her stairs until Scolnick and his company helped to fix her in-home elevator. A 73-year-old man who could no longer get around because a thief stole his mobility chair charger. A 10-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder whose $2,500 custom wheelchair was stolen from him.
“It’s just our way of giving back to the community,” Scolnick said.
Scolnick lives in Huntingdon Valley with his family and has two children, ages 9 and 11.
While he says he needs to watch the bottom line for his business, he added that his eye is always on helping those who are at risk of hitting rock bottom.
