After donating over $200 worth of personal hygiene items to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, a local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is challenging others to do the same.
Len Maynard, branch president zone commander and District A Sgt-at-Arms of Chatham Branch 642, presented the donation at the end of July. He, along with Public Relations Officer Irene Williams, dropped off several toiletries to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) in hopes of making things a little bit easier for patients currently getting care.
Maynard said he got the idea after spending time in the hospital with his father, who recently passed away.
"It came to attention that the nurses have to chip in to get toiletries for their patients," Maynard explained. "I said, 'You've got to be kidding.' I knew the one head nurse there for years, I talked to her and said, 'I might be able to help you'."
Maynard then went back to his executive at the Legion branch and told them about the situation, eventually creating a motion allowing him to go forward with making the donation, which included shaving cream, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant. However, he also wanted to take things a step further.
"At the zone meeting, when I did my report... I challenged the other nine branches in the zone to match or better this so we can run some support to our community hospital," he said.
According to clinical manager of CKHA's medicine department, Marie Marchand, personal hygiene donations help improve how patients feel about themselves and may even be used to organize occasional spa days. With a background in emergency services and a lifelong passion for helping others, Maynard said he's very proud to know his donations will be put to good use.
"The role of the Canadian Legion is [we're] always here to help the community, it's one of our objectives... If they're in need I'm sure that we can try to do what we can when we can," he said. "Let's face it, our veterans, our seniors and our youth, they all sooner or later have to utilize that hospital -- so why shouldn't someone help?"
Maynard is waiting until the next meeting in November to see what the other branches have come up with. Besides challenging the other local legion branches, Maynard is also asking residents and community groups to consider similar donations.
"I'm sure the hospital would be very thankful," he said.
