Posted on April 22, 2020
West Michigan responds to call for masks and equipment
West Michigan residents and organizations are opening their hearts to Mary Free Bed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are grateful.
Thanks to generous gifts to the Mary Free Bed Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, 30 iPads have been purchased to connect patients with their loved ones, health care providers, spiritual leaders and interpreters for those who don’t speak English.
“Like all of us, our patients are experiencing social distancing from their loved ones,” said Laura Dulay, the Foundation’s fundraising coordinator. “Support from family is so important during rehabilitation, so iPads are an essential tool.”
The COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to purchase additional supplies and equipment necessary for care and to help with specific needs of our employees and patients, such as the iPads. Secure, online donations can be made by visiting maryfreebed.com/foundation and selecting “COVID-19 Relief Fund.”
Medical supplies
Our request for medical supplies has resulted in more than $6,000 of in-kind donations. Among them:
- Amway – 2,510 N95 masks and 34 cases of hand sanitizer (each case containing 15 13.5-ounce pumps)
- GRX Group – 2,000 3D printed face masks
- Service Professor – 300 shoe coverings for COVID-19 ReCOVERY unit staff
- Lee Perez, Foundation board member and president of Carter Products Company – 30 face shields for ReCOVery unit staff
- Bradley Ace Hardware of Wyoming – 750 N95 masks
- FirstLight Home Care – 100 N95 masks
- Grand Valley State University – 50 surgical masks, 50 cloth masks
- East Kentwood High School Robotics Team – 50 face shields and 100 ear guards
Homemade masks
Several generous people, including members of the Mary Free Bed Guild and West Michigan Quilters Guild, have donated homemade masks or supplies to make them. Guild member Linda Edgar, who also volunteers at the West Entry desk, made 69 cloth masks.
“I made the face masks, because it’s a way I can help with the COVID-19 crisis locally, at Mary Free Bed where I love volunteering,” Linda said. “The masks will help protect staff and patients.”
Just for fun
And, for a sweet treat, the folks at Tropical Smoothie Café surprised our nurses and nurse techs with 70 smoothies over the weekend, and Julie Horning donated 30 pair of earrings to provide a little “sparkle” for some Mary Free Bed nurses.
“I wish there was a way to thank each and every person who made a donation, no matter how big or small,” said Michelle Chapie, director of Outpatient Services.
A list of requested donations is posted below with details on where to drop them off.
