For the past several months the group namely – Supporting Health Care Workers Fight vs. Covid19 have been cutting and sewing masks for donations to the community. From NHL hockey teams to Christmas icons, they have been offering the public an opportunity to receive masks for protection from COVID in return for a donation to the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation. This was done in response to both the need for PPE (personal protective equipment) in the community as businesses and schools began opening up as well as the need to help fund PPE for hospital frontline staff. Today, they gave the TMH Foundation their final installment bringing their final total contribution from the past 8 months to $29,553.
The TMH Foundation is tasked with raising over $3.3 million this year for priority medical equipment, and personal protective equipment for hospital staff is part of that. With Face Coverings in public places being mandated by the province, this group saw an opportunity to help both the public and front-line workers have the PPE they need. “Selling masks to the public is a win-win, they receive 100% cotton masks provided with a nose guard and slot for filter if desired, and TMHF receive funds for hospital PPE”, says Darrell Smith Chairman of the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation. Sewists not only provided masks for this fundraising initiative, they also provided them for family and friends and local community groups in need.
Members of this group include: Angie Cervo, Elaine Cole, Spencer Dennis, Kasandra Dodds, Charlene Fielding, Sarah Fielding, Jodi Hayward Arlene LaRosa, Monique Mitts, Kristal Neale and crocheters, Greta O’Brien, Helen Paquet, Jacques Paquet, Lois Post, Patsy Potter, Shari Thorley, Darlene Turcotte, Sharon Urquhart and Barbara Walters. Keeping the sales going was quarterback Duncan Armstrong who attended numerous special events and grocery stores with his pop-up shop.
It has been a huge undertaking for the sewers. In fact, one of them Sharon Urquhart has singlehandedly completed 6,000 masks. Many other members have also contributed in many ways, such as Helen Paquet who was instrumental in finding various fabrics to satisfy the different themes. The group has been engaged in helping our TMH front line and an inspiration to many others in the community to do their part too.
“Covid-19 is still a real problem and the community needs to “mask-up”, says Wendy Warner, ED of TMHF. “With thanks to these sewists thousands in our community are now protected and our front line are too. This program was great for all parties involved and we couldn’t be more grateful to them for the hundreds of hours they spent making masks and other PPE. Merry Christmas.”
ABOVE IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TRENTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
