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Travel to Arlington with Young & Old this Memorial Day Weekend

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Memorial Day

The staff at Rent It Today would like to extend our deepest respect for those that have given their lives defending our country. Past, present, and future members of our Armed Forces have our sincerest appreciation.

There are numerous ways you can remember and honor the individuals that have given their lives while serving our great country this Memorial Day.

Across the nation, events will be held to reflect upon the selflessness and sacrifices of these brave men and women. Some are carried out in the form of parades, while others hold dedications, tributes, or ceremonies. These events are typically free of charge, and simply require your attendance, and your regard.

Memorial Day Weekend Travel

Wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns

Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery

If you wish to take advantage of the three day weekend while also showing your respect this year, you will find a plethora of celebratory and memorial events taking place in and around Virginia. One of the most popular and moving takes place at the final resting place for many that gave their lives while in our Armed Forces, Arlington National Cemetery. Annually, a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns in the cemetery on Memorial Day. The ceremony will be followed by an observance program, as well as additional happenings. Further information can be found on the official website of the Arlington National Cemetery.

Medical Equipment & Baby Gear Rentals for Your Trip

Would you like to attend the remembrance events in Arlington this year, but are too concerned about the needs of the young children or elderly that will be traveling with you? Rent It Today is here to make your travels possible, as well as simple.

Baby with American FlagPartnering rental company, Breezy Baby Travel, offers baby equipment rentals, and can set you up with all the gear your little one will need during your stay in Virginia. Their tagline, “Don’t unravel when you travel,” reflects their commitment to providing you the items you need for smooth travels with your baby. Their inventory includes everything from on-the-go, sleeping, safety, and play equipment, plus so much more.

Likewise, it may be stressful to plan a trip with a loved one that may not be able to keep up with the rest of the crew due to a medical issue or mobility difficulty. This is the driving force behind the staff at BW Surgical Supply. They want to see their customers go “where they want, when they want.” They offer durable home medical equipment rentals across Arlington and the DC Metro area, and can provide you or a fellow traveler with a scooter rental or wheelchair rental for the amount of time needed during your stay.

Don’t miss out on one of the most moving and respectful ways to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces. Seek the services of one of Rent It Today’s baby gear or medical equipment providers in the Arlington area today.

Filed Under: Baby Equipment, Customer Spotlight, Medical Equipment, Travel Vacation Destinations Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Rent a Bicycle to Celebrate National Bike Month

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National Bike MonthBesides the beautiful blooming flowers, the kids’ last days of school, and remembering those that gave their lives while defending our great nation, May is also recognized as National Bike Month.

This year, in celebration, rent a bicycle, and get rolling on saving money, saving the environment, and saving your health!

A Bike for Every Seat

Remember the joys you had as a child cruising the neighborhood streets on your two-wheeler? You may be an adult now, but you still deserve the freedom that comes with speeding down a hill or the exhilaration of conquering that upward climb.

Many bicycle rental companies offer various types of rides including road bikes, mountain bikes, and racing bicycles. Further, they often have bikes for every age and every ability. By renting, you can test out as many as you wish until you find your groove.

Maybe after hopping on that seat and trying to relive your youth, you determine that your older bones disagree with the cliché that picking up an old behavior is just like riding a bike. In that case, it’s a good thing you didn’t waste your money by purchasing that bicycle! If you had, it would inevitably end up taking up space in your garage, and likely be the source of an argument or two with your other half.

There are so many benefits to renting, that simply put, it just makes sense. By renting a bicycle instead of buying one off the bat, you can save time, money, space, and possibly your relationship!

Pedal Away on Your Vacay

Renting a bicycle isn’t only ideal for testing out different models, bettering your health, or savings on your wallet. Often, you can find providers in popular vacation destinations offering bicycle rentals for sightseeing, cruising, relaxation, or any other reason you see fit during your trip.

No matter your purpose or your location, get your gears rolling by checking out Rent It Today’s bicycle rental providers first. Don’t forget to check out our selection of safety gear, too. Happy Cycling!

Filed Under: Bicycles, Green News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Just Another Day in the Office at Rent It Today

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Excelent Customer Service

“Core Values”- You‘ve likely heard the phrase, but do you really know what they are, and does anyone actually have them? If you work at Rent It Today, the answer to both is a resounding “YES!”

On the walls of our building, on banners in different rooms, within every policy and procedure manual, and below this sentence, you will find Rent It Today’s core values.

  • Evolving the Renting World
  • Promoting Enjoyable Experiences
  • Empowering Both Customers
  • Creating Quality Content
  • Making Renting Simple
  • Loving Renting

These words are so important and powerful around here, I almost feel as though I’ve just shared some secret society initiation ritual.

Above and Beyond

If you were to step foot in our office at any given time, you’d see each and every one of us carrying out one or more of these core values. I’d like to share an example of one of our employees, Les Courtney, exemplifying exactly what I mean.

First, a little background…Les has been with Rent It Today for over five years. He has worked in just about every department, and currently assists customers in our new call center.

Great IdeaLes recently took a call from Beth Brooks, the Project Coordinator of Added Value, a brand development and marketing insight consulting agency. She was looking to rent two specific motorcycles for a photo shoot for approximately four days in both Park City, NJ and Anaheim, CA. Les’ training led him to finding local providers of motorcycle rentals in each city, but none had both motorcycles in stock at the same time. Eagle Rider, out of California, offered to locate dealerships in their area, set up an agreement, then rent to Ms. Brooks as a third party. It was then that Les’ lightbulb went off!

Exceeding his typical responsibilities as a call center agent, Les hit the web, and began searching for dealerships in New Jersey. He eventually got in touch Dan, at Cross Country Cycle in Metuchen, NJ, not too far from the city in which the bikes were needed. After an explanation and discussion of Ms. Brooks’ request, Dan not only agreed to rent both specific motorcycles for the photo shoot, but also offered delivery. Not only did Les go above and beyond, but the fine folks at Cross Country Cycle did, too!

No Profit to Us

Rent It Today did not, and does not, profit from connecting the renter and the rentee. Therefore, nothing tangible was earned by Les’ actions. What Les did earn, however, is the appreciation of all parties involved and the satisfaction of, in his words, “just doing what Rent It Today does – Making Renting Simple!”

Filed Under: Motocycle Rentals, Updates and News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vacation Rentals for Travel and Leisure’s Top US City to Visit

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SuitcaseWe are over halfway through National Tourism Week. Although that doesn’t leave much time for planning a trip this weekend, don’t fret. Rent It Today is here to make your vacation planning simple, so you can relax and enjoy some time away from the daily grind.

When looking for top vacation spots, we seek the advice of friends, family, and those in the travel industry. Since I don’t know your friends or family, I’m here to share the industry experts’ suggestions on where to celebrate the remainder of National Tourism Week.

Drumroll, Please

The vacay experts at Travel and Leisure have compiled a list of the hottest travel destinations of 2013. Can you guess which one US city made the cut? If you guessed Minneapolis, you’re right! I admit, even I thought “Why Minneapolis instead of cities like Chicago, Hilton Head, NYC, or Los Angeles?” I think the answer is best summed up by additional travel industry leader, Trip Advisor. Their Minneapolis Tourism page states,

“With its gleaming skyscrapers set amid glittering lakes, Minneapolis makes for an attractive and fun getaway. A truly year-round destination, the city offers activities for every season. In winter, one can explore the downtown area through more than seven miles of glass-enclosed skyways. In addition to keeping you warm, they create a lively thoroughfare filled with specialty shops, restaurants and services. Whether you want to escape the winter cold or the summer warmth, the Mall of America offers shopping, dining and entertainment options for any time of the year and every member of the family. Art lovers have plenty to see at the Minneapolis Art Institute, Walker Art Center and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, which all house world-renowned collections. The theater scene is thriving. With more than thirty theaters, Minneapolis has more seats per capita than any U.S. city except New York. See a Broadway show and enjoy dinner and live jazz at a fabulous restaurant. With kids in tow, check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, where visitors can produce their own video, or come face to face with a shark at the UnderWater Adventures Aquarium. In summer, the action moves outside. Known as “The City of Lakes,” Minneapolis has 22 lakes located within city limits and many more in the surrounding area. In town, hordes of locals and tourists in-line skate or stroll around Lake Calhoun, stopping for ice cream along the way. Just outside of town, Fort Snelling State Park offers outdoor recreational activities from hiking to biking and golf to boating. No matter when you visit, Minneapolis offers lots for everyone to enjoy. “

Minneapolis Vacation Rentals Through Rent It Today

Minneapolis; Photo Courtesy Travel and LeisureThe week may almost be over, but it’s not too late to secure your vacation rentals in Minneapolis. Many of Rent It Today’s partnering companies, including Metro Medical, Lower Gear, Mobile Entertainment, and Tech-Go are prepared to move on a dime and get you what you need for your trip to one of the Twin Cities.

Whether it’s mobility equipment to hit all the shops at the Mall of America, a segway for a fun sightseeing adventure of Lake Calhoun, a GPS so you don’t get lost during your hike in Elm Creek Park Reserve, or camping equipment for your stay in Afton State Park, we’ve got you covered.

Check out Rent It Today for everything Minneapolis, then enjoy what’s left of National Tourism Week!

Filed Under: Camping Gear, Customer Spotlight, Electronics, Medical Equipment, Travel Vacation Destinations Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Second Chance at Life with a Defibrillator Rental

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Second Chance at Life

Facts about Matt Krueger…

  • Lives in Genoa, IL
  • Married
  • Has 4 children
  • In his thirties
  • Enjoys basketball
  • Died on March 2, 2013

Krueger may have passed in March, but this is not his obituary. Instead, it is the story of his revival back to life and the importance of having an automated external defibrillator (AED) available in every environment.

Krueger Family

Survivor, Matt Krueger, and his family (photo courtesy www.dailyherald.com)

You can’t pick the time and place to have a heart attack. Matt Krueger can attest to that. During an interview, Krueger said “I felt perfectly fine that morning so you never know when you’re life can change in an instant.”

During a typical Saturday morning game of basketball with the guys at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Krueger went into cardiac arrest. Due to the quick thinking of some fellow players, chest compressions were started, and the church’s defibrillator was fetched. Demetrio Torres, a police officer that was on the scene as a teammate, is credited for orchestrating the life-saving event in a calm and composed manner. His expertise and training allowed him to lead the teammates in responding appropriately, therefore saving a friend’s life.

This is just one of countless stories in which having an AED on-site meant Daddy will be coming home later instead of the ill-fated opposite.

AED Rentals are Just a Heartbeat Away

Heartland MedicalThe team at Heartland Medical know the importance of having a defibrillator readily available in all locations. They have been offering life-saving equipment for rent across our great nation for over 30 years now. Alongside defibrillators, they also provide anesthesia machine rentals, C-arm systems for rent, as well as additional surgical equipment. Their AED rentals are often sought during temporary situations that may include summer camps, outdoor adventures, out of town extracurriculars, special events, or even family picnics. If you, your family, your friends, or anyone you know needs a defibrillator, check out Heartland Medical’s corporate rental store on Rent It Today. With just the pulse of a few buttons, Rent It Today makes it simple to locate all your medical equipment needs.

As responding officer and teammate Torres said after the incident, “If they didn’t have that (AED) there, the outcome would’ve been terrible.” Let’s not put that theory to test. Contact Heartland Medical, and get your life-saving equipment today!

Filed Under: Customer Spotlight, Medical Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Top Oddball Excuses Landlords Hear When Tenants Don’t Pay the Rent

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Stop Making Excuses

Excuses, excuses. They didn’t work in school. They didn’t go over well with the parents. They don’t fly at work, and they certainly aren’t gonna make a bit of difference to your landlord.

A survey in Scotland came up with a top ten list of crazy excuses tenants have given as to why they couldn’t pay the rent. You can read the full story for the entire list, but I’ve chosen to share my three personal favorites with you.

“I have a phobia about touching my checkbook.”

Phobias come in all shapes and sizes. I’m not going to argue anyone’s issues, because I’ve got some doozies of my own. I won’t go into detail, but if you wanna watch a grown woman pass out, put a Popsicle stick or wooden spoon in my hand.

This tenant may have legitimately had a phobia connected to germs that hindered her from paying the rent.  Or maybe it was a fear of bouncing things, like checks.

“My pet died and I have to pay the funeral costs.”

I totally get this one. When my sweet kitty Ti-Jo passed when I was in college, I wore black for a month. My parents wouldn’t let me get him stuffed, so I did the next best thing so he could stay with me forever and had him cremated. Although I did not hold a funeral per se, I definitely broke the bank with the memorial shrine, antique fur holder, professionally framed pictures, hand-painted sweatshirt, and cedar engraved urn that I purchased.

So I’m certain if this tenant’s pet really did die, and she cared for it in the least, she spent a good deal of money memorializing it and truly couldn’t pay the rent. Side note – shoot me a message if you want an extended laugh about the engraving on my cat’s urn, and why it may have cost more than typical engravings.

“The money fell out of my pocket.”

Unless you purchased them in the 80′s, gone are the days of the “Mom jeans.” Since many of us refused to succumb to the horror of  wearing them, denim companies had no other choice but to respond. Sadly, they did so by designing jeans for 40 year olds the same as my 4 year olds. Not only do they barely cover our “assets,” but the slit in front formerly known as a pocket no longer exists. Instead, in its place is a seam that looks like it should be able to hold my Chapstick, but is really only a decorative stitch at most that is clearly only there to accentuate my child-bearing hips.

So yes, I absolutely believe this tenant lost the rent money so long as she is a woman, a Mother, and not wearing Jordache.

So there you have it – my top three of the survey that took place in Scotland. Your thoughts? Are you a landlord that has heard a good one or two? If so, please share below!

Filed Under: Home Rentals, Offbeat Rental News, Updates and News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Even Superheroes Get Super Tired – Treat Your Mom this Mother’s Day

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Mom Tattoo

Research has shown the absolute minimum resources necessary for physical well-being include meeting three traditional basic needs: food and water, shelter, and clothing. This may be true for some, but for mothers, it couldn’t be more inaccurate. If that really was the case, our great planet would be pretty scarce of Mamas.

  • Became a MomI am a Mother. Since becoming responsible for keeping two humans alive, the only food that I’ve consumed has been quickly prepared and eaten cold. I drink more wine than water, mostly because…well, I have children.
  • My shelter is overcrowded with princess everything, board games that take too damn long to play without cheating, and a whole bunch of little trinkety toys that seek out my bare feet and should be considered illegal.
  • As for my clothing – well, since having children, my size has changed, but my style hasn’t. If I’m not in “workout clothes” (that have never been through any form of workout), then you’ll find me squeezing into the same stuff I’ve worn for the past 10 years.Let me be clear, this is not by choice. First, I don’t have the time to go shopping, because I’m always taking care of my kids. And for anyone who just thought, “Just take them with you…” I’ll be dropping off my two year old son as you enter any facility other than a bouncy castle center. Second, I do not have the energy to go shopping, because I’m awakened throughout every night for a glass of water, a potty break, to comfort a nightmare, or check vitals of a sick kid. Third, I do not have the money to go shopping, because all my green goes towards more princess tiaras and death trinkets.

But guess what? I wouldn’t change my version of basic needs for anything.

Messy HouseMake Your Mum Feel Spavelous

This Mother’s Day, I don’t want a hot meal, new furniture, or even a pair of jeans that actually fit. I want quiet. I want pampering. I want to go to the bathroom by myself. None of these are possible at home. But they are feasible during a stint a day spa! (Notice, I said a day spa, and not a retreat or resort. Mama can’t be away from the nest for more than a few hours, unless she wants to return to a frazzled Daddy, a food covered toddler, a thousand Q-tips, diapers, cotton balls, forks, and some sort of goo strewn around the house, and a preschooler who found Mommy’s make-up.)

Here’s a list of some of the top day spas, per Spavelous.com, in the US that I’m certain would make your Mama smile.Superhero Moms

  1. Glen Ivy in California
  2. Hanalei Day Spa in Hawaii
  3.  27 Om Spa in New York
  4. Cape May Day Spa in New Jersey
  5. Scottsdale Spa and Holistic Massage in Arizona

To make Mother’s Day even more pampering and special for your personal lifeline, get her out of the minivan and into a hot ride that doesn’t remind her of Motherhood in the least. Even more, let someone else do the driving, and rent a limo for the day to pick her up and bring her relaxed and re-energized body home so she can get back to her daily job as a pro bono doctor, chef, entertainer, housekeeper, chauffeur, teacher, event planner, and handywoman – and those are just her accomplishments before 9am!

Filed Under: Exotic Cars, Offbeat Rental News, Travel Vacation Destinations Tagged With: , , , , ,

Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fire Tower Climbing

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Baby Pointing

Years ago, my brother attended Indiana University in Bloomington. I would often head out for a weekend visit with my Toyota 4-Runner packed up with a couple changes of clothes, some hiking boots, and my eyebrow tweezers (word of advice: NEVER leave home without them).

Bonding with My Bro

I always loved our time together – Long walks catching up on the fam, visits to cool museums, eating at incredible restaurants, over-spending at trendy shops, hitting up delicious farmer’s markets, and trying to regain my college youth. During one particular visit, my dear bro said he had a great idea, and told me about the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area of the Hoosier National Forest. It’s got a cool historical story behind it, but you can Google that. I prefer getting straight to the point of the lead-up, and to share the idea that turned out to be NOT so great.

The 110 foot high tower is open to the public for climbing (and apparently graffiti as well as every form of inappropriateness you can think of near a college campus). My brother’s “great” idea was that we climb to the top and observe the beauty of the changing leaves across the surrounding acres. Sounds reasonable, right? Oh, did I mention, the tower is 110 feet up in the sky? And I should probably tell you, I’m abnormally, deathly, ridiculously, and irrationally afraid of heights.

Stairway to Heaven

Hickory Ridge Fire Tower

Hickory Ridge Fire Tower

I trust my brother. He is my blood. He would not purposefully steer me in an uncomfortable direction. However, on this day, I uncomfortably climbed the 123 steps in the direction of heaven, which is also where I assumed this adventure would end, considering the steps were worn, rickety, and some were even missing.

After being passed by a seven year old on said rickety steps, with dripping wet sweaty palms, and a heartbeat somewhere near 300 beats per minute, I did eventually make it to the top platform of the tower.

Since my body was paralyzed with fear, I couldn’t even stand to take any pictures, which was the entire point of this expedition anyway. Instead, I just held my camera up above my head, clicked a couple times, and wished for at least one picture that contained a tree in it.

It was when the hyperventilation began that we decided it was probably best to end this little adventure, and head back toward earth. I won’t even get into the description of having to climb down 123 steps. Let’s just say, the climb up was like spending the day as a taste-tester in a chocolate factory. The climb down almost put a chocolate factory in my pants. Yep, awful.

BTW, A3 This Is Str8 Up Cray 2 Me

For the life of me, I cannot understand how anyone in their right, left, or wrong mind would EVER choose to place themselves in a similar situation. I don’t care if the view showed the path to the lost treasure, nothing is worth that. So when I came across an article titled “Want to get away from it all? Rent a fire tower,” I was dumbfounded, stunned, taken aback, buffaloed, flabbergasted, bowled over, and every other synonymous word. In fact, this article is “OMG” and “WTH?” worthy to me.

I guess I can accept that everyone is unique, and fears and phobias present themselves differently with each person. So maybe renting a fire tower sounds like a grand idea to someone out there reading this. If so, more power to you. As for me, I’ll just carry out the wise words of Mr. Casey Kasem and keep my feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars. That’s the smartest advice you’ll ever receive from one of those meddling kids!

Filed Under: Offbeat Rental News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Superior Stair Lifts from a Premium Provider

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Senior Couple and Stairlift

If you have done any amount of research for a stair lift for your home, you have undoubtedly heard the name “Bruno.” Bruno manufactures independent living supports including stairlifts, vertical platforms, vehicle lifts, and more. They are known as a leader in the mobility support industry. Being at the top of the class makes them a perfect match for rental provider, 101 Mobility.

101 MobilityThere’s No Place Like Home

101 Mobility is also acclaimed in the industry. They offer stair lifts and additional mobility equipment rentals across our great United States.

Local owner and life-long resident of Washington, DC, Matt Riordan, and his team of professionals know how important it is for you to remain in the home you love. They are committed to providing you the best service and products possible, so you can maintain your independence, as well as your current address in the DC area.

Rental Stair Lift in the Capitol

Throughout the DC Metro Area, you can find Bruno Elite Straight Rail Stair Lifts for rent from 101 Mobility. This particular chairlift fulfills its superior Bruno reputation by featuring a comfortable, padded swivel seat that is adjustable to fit your height and can be folded when not in use. It also comes equipped with a continuous charge strip with battery back-up that maintains a level of power even during a power outage. Safety sensors, flip-up arm, seat, and footrests, and a 400 pound weight capacity also come standard with this particular model.

A Step closer to Independence

Living with a mobility issue can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Before making the drastic decision to leave the home and neighborhood you love because you can’t maneuver the stairs comfortably or you have a fear of injury during advanced aging, consider renting a stairlift from 101 Mobility. You can opt for a short or long-term rental, therefore if your condition changes, 101 Mobility can and will accommodate.

The caring individuals at 101 Mobility are available to answer any questions you may have, and are ready to help you find the best stair lift to meet not only your needs, but also your budget. Check out 101 Mobility of Washington, DC’s comprehensive company website for more information on their available mobility solutions, or visit their stair lifts rental inventory on Rent It Today, where we make renting your home medical equipment simple.

Filed Under: Customer Spotlight, Medical Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Enjoy the Prime of Your Life with Wilmington Mobility Rentals

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Fabulous Grandma

TGIF – This Grandma is Fabulous

Becoming a grandparent can be the most exciting chapter of your life. Instead of waking to a blaring alarm to start a long day of work, Grandma can sleep until the giggles of the grandchildren awaken her. Instead of being the chauffeur to the soccer games, Gramps can now sit on the sidelines as a spectator and super big hug-giver after little Maddie’s first goal. Instead of dealing with the kids’ tantrums over not being allowed to have cookies, Grandparents are expected to fuel their grandchildren with cookies and other unhealthy treats. These definitely are the golden years! If you have difficulty with mobility, however, your days may not seem quite so bright. Enter 101 Mobility – the sun to light up your life.

Thank Your Lucky Stars

101 MobilityIf you live in Wilmington, NC and missing out on the joys of spending time with your family because of a mobility issue, consider yourself lucky. The luck is obviously not in the missed opportunities. Instead, you are fortunate to be living near medical supply and mobility equipment provider, 101 Mobility. 101 Mobility sells, installs, rents, and services a full line of mobility and accessibility products.

Keith Barnhart, Luke Sampson, and Dave Pazgan are the lucky charms behind the magic of 101 Mobility in Wilmington. These managing partners are dedicated to providing you with the equipment you need to maintain your independence, your freedom, and mostly – your mobility. They can set you up with the short or long term rental of a stair lift, wheelchair ramp, electric scooter, or any number of other supports. And they’re committed to your satisfaction by working under a set of core values that include exceeding expectations and operating with integrity.

Your Life is Waiting, Just “Round” the Corner

If for some reason you need more convincing, you can find satisfied customers’ testimonials on 101 Mobility’s comprehensive website that also includes pictures, product news, and a company blog. For a list of their inventory available for rent, please check Circle of Love Figurineout 101 Mobility’s rental store on Rent It Today.

An anonymous author once said, “Grandchildren complete life’s circle of love.” Don’t miss another moment of your grandchildrens’ lives. Contact 101 Mobility of Wilmington, NC  today, and complete your circle!

Filed Under: Customer Spotlight, Medical Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , , ,