by Jane Adams APR, Communications Lead, WDMH
In small communities like ours, you just need to ask for help and people step up. And sometimes, you don’t even have to ask! Over the past few weeks, the WDMH team has been amazed by the incredible generosity of our neighbours. Everything from donations of personal protective equipment, to gifts of food, to messages of support. And we’ve also watched as local innovators got to work.
Take Sheldon and Dianne Shane for example. They are sign makers near Crysler who have changed things up to create the raw materials for face and goggle shields. Sheldon purchased the plastic from Germany and then converted the machine usually used for vinyl signs into a cutting factory.
“We can cut about 100 face shields every hour. So far, we’ve made more than 1,000 face shields and 1,000 goggle shields and I have enough plastic to make 3,500 more,” he says. “Instead of sitting around and doing nothing, we can keep going and help out.”
From there, the raw materials move on to Glen Haven Farms in Morewood. Tom and Janet MacGregor’s machinery building has turned into an assembly plant as Tom’s sister Joan Davis leads a group of volunteers to add elastic and foam supports to the shields. What an incredible team!
Amanda Brownrigg lives in Moose Creek and her sister Kim Taylor is a nurse at WDMH. Amanda and her husband Norman Caissie are also printing face shields and have donated just over 100. “We did a lot of research to find the right materials,’ she says. “It’s nice to help.”
Then there’s Fiona Bremner from Greely. Fiona has donated about 350 ear protector straps made using a 3D printer. The straps are more comfortable and protect the ears of front-line workers. It’s a family affair with her husband Jody Everitt and children Alex and Calum joining in. She also reached out to the Ottawa Makers PPE group to help. “It’s nice to be able to do something,” says Fiona. “WDMH is our local hospital where we go for care and we’re always happy to help.”
We also want to thank the many businesses and restaurants who have donated food for front-line workers. From suppers delivered by Cedar Glen Golf Course and Louis’s Restaurant to coffee, donuts and popcorn, you are truly nourishing our souls.
Tim Hortons franchise owner Robert St. Denis sums things up: “We wanted to show our sincerest appreciation to all of the staff and doctors at WDMH during this challenging time. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our community safe.”
“These are just some of the many, many people who are helping us keep patients, staff and physicians safe,” says Cholly Boland, CEO. “We can’t list you all, but please know how grateful we are.”
For more details on our needs, please visit www.wdmh.on.ca/PPEdonations. If you are able to donate one of the items listed, please contact Chris Barkley at WDMH by emailing cbarkley@wdmh.on.ca to make arrangements. If you do not have any PPE to donate, but would still like to help, please consider making a gift to the WDMH Foundation’s General Equipment Fund. The government does not fund medical equipment purchases, so these gifts help our community now and in the future. Visit www.wdmhfoundation.ca/onlinegiving.
For the latest updates on COVID-19, please visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit website at www.eohu.ca.
For the latest updates from WDMH, please visit www.wdmh.on.ca/coronavirus.
