Sarnia's mayor is challenging the community to donate new and unopened industrial or medical grade personal protective equipment (PPE).
Mike Bradley said the idea was born during discussions with the Bluewater Health Foundation.
"It's an appeal to the business community, to dentists, to veterinarians, anyone that has personal protection equipment they could spare to assist," said Bradley.
Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander said the PPE will ensure front line healthcare workers and community partners are protected.
"We're seeing so many other communities really coming out and doing this, Chatham launched one just the other day, Hayley Wickenheiser and Ryan Reynolds have loaned to their celebrity to do some drives in Toronto as well," said Alexander. "I think it's really about staying ahead. We don't know what might happen, so I think the most important thing for us is to be proactive and prepared."
Alexander said the PPE collected will be shared amongst Bluewater Health, St. Joseph's Hospice, long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
"We know that Bluewater Health is not the only organization facing shortages and challenges and we really wanted to come together. We've been receiving very generous donations of PPE for Bluewater Health, but we're just very cognizant of the fact that there are a lot of other people looking."
Alexander said both large and small donations are appreciated.
"Please come out on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Clearwater Arena. It's going to be a curbside pickup. We're looking for gowns, gloves, masks, respirators, hand sanitizer. We'll have it all set up, safely and securely for people to come and donate."
Donors are asked to enter the arena off Finch Avenue and exit on Wellington Street.
Staff will be on hand to accept donations. Any donations left outside at the building will be discarded due to unknown contamination.
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The group is looking for...
- protective gown
- N95 masks
- reusable respirators and filters
- ear loop masks
- surgical masks
- vented goggles
- protective gloves
- hand sanitizer
