It's often in times of crisis, that people come together to show they care, exposing the true spirit of humanity.
Since March, on a daily basis we have received donations from the community, showing their support for our hard-working and dedicated teams throughout the pandemic.
Pamela Shanks, who recently joined Niagara Health Foundation as Director of Development, has been overwhelmed to see the support from our community.
Two months into her role, she has been able to see first-hand the extraordinary care our teams provide to patients and families. The support from our community for the heroic efforts of our teams now means so much more to her. Pam works with local businesses, organizations and community members who are interested in donating to support the purchase of much-needed hospital equipment across our sites.
Once COVID arrived, the Foundation's work shifted to non-traditional donations, and a large percentage of their time has been spent collecting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the community. For several months, Niagara Health Foundation received PPE donations on a daily basis including masks, gloves, gowns, goggles, face shields and ear savers. More than 230,000 pieces of PPE have been donated since the beginning of the pandemic.
In addition, local businesses and individuals have dropped off countless food and gift donations for our team members including pizza and sandwich lunches, drinks, self-care packages, gift cards and flowers.
“Hospitals are here to help, and are experiencing a time of need," notes Pamela. "The community has stepped up to give back, to participate in whatever way they can, and to really show how our community can come together for one another."
For more information, please contact Pam Shanks, Niagara Health Foundation at (905) 378-4647 extension 44249.
