MANSFIELD — Although some store shelves sit empty and hand sanitizer is in short supply, people all over Richland County are still willing to share.
Kim Winkle, vice president of corporate relations and operational support for Avita Health System, said she’s been amazed by the community’s generosity.
“So many companies and individuals have reached out to donate things like PPE, supplies, and food,” Winkle wrote in an email. “Many (that sew) in our community have worked tirelessly and spent countless hours making homemade masks and donating them to many of us.
“We appreciate this so much!”
Last week, Stingel Elementary School principal Kimberly Johnson asked each teacher to donate four unopened items, such as hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes or tissue boxes, from their classrooms. Although the collection was voluntary, nearly every teacher participated.
“We just took the extras since we’re not in school right now and thought we wanted to help our community,” Johnson said.
Johnson had discussed the idea with Natalie Thomas, a first and second grade teacher in Stingel’s multiage classroom.
“In a time that is very scary and uncertain, my heart goes to (medical professionals) because they have to show up to work. They don’t get to stay home,” Thomas said. “I have a lot of students whose parents are in the medical field and they’re essential workers and they’re showing up daily with fears of getting the coronavirus, so anything we could do to minimize that by providing cleaning supplies, we wanted to do.”
Stingel split its donated supplies between OhioHealth and Avita Health Systems.
Ontario elementary school teachers aren’t the only ones stepping up. Newman Technology donated more than 900 N95 masks to OhioHealth.
Glen’s Surplus in Shelby has also heeded the call. As of March 31, the store had donated 160,000 gloves, 100 N95 masks, 288 pieces of eye protection, 144 face shields, 300 sanitizer spritzer bottles as well as gowns, bleach, hand soap and toilet paper to local hospitals and first responders.
When Melissa Cary, owner of Studio 19 Salon Spa, had to close her salon in compliance with orders from the governor, she turned it into a supply donation drop-off site.
“Honestly, the initial thought was how can we help?” Cary said. “A lot of our clients that have really stepped up and dropped things off.”
Cary was able to take several bags of donated gloves, cleaning supplies, paper towels and hand-made masks to OhioHealth this week. She plans to continue opening up for donation drop offs a couple of hours each week.
“Honestly, this is what it’s all about. We want to help and if this is a way we can help, we’re going to continue to do it as long as people allow us to,” Cary said.
Winkle stated that hospitals and health agencies everywhere are requesting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to an extremely high need.
“Without knowing if and when deliveries of needed items will come in, we need to use PPE appropriately and conservatively to prepare for an even greater need in the coming weeks,” she explained.
OhioHealth, Avita Health System and the Richland County Emergency Management Authority are all accepting donations of personal protective equipment.
OhioHealth is accepting donations of the following new, unopened medical supplies including N95 masks, face shields, surgery masks, procedure masks, medical eyewear/glasses, isolation gowns, medical coveralls, exam gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, bleach, toilet paper, biohazard bags, disposable lab coats and nebulizers.
Drive-up, drop-off collection sites are located to the left of the main entrance of Mansfield Hospital, 335 Glessner Ave., and outside the surgery entrance of Shelby Hospital, 199 W. Main St. Future collection times and locations may be announced at a later date.
To donate, send an email to: supplydonation@ohiohealth.com and OhioHealth will contact you to finalize the donation.
Avita is accepting donations of N95 masks, tie surgical masks, masks, face shields, gowns, medical coveralls, exam gloves, surgical gloves and hand sanitizer. Avita will coordinate drop-off and pick-up times for donations. To make arrangements, please send an email to tmartin@avitahs.org or call 419-468-0727.
