Residents support hospital staff with meal donations
WEST CHESTER » As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic touches home at the Chester County Hospital, one way residents have been showing their support to the doctors, nurse and staff is by proving food. The outpouring has been so massive the hospital has resorted to a signup system to regulate the incoming support.
Thomas Gavin, director of development at the Chester County Hospital Foundation, said the sign-up system will allow different departments and units to be able to share in the donations spreading them out on different days.
“We are lucky enough that people have been calling to do what they can. One way is bringing food into different units.” said Gavin. “We’re thrilled for the support. The first benefit is knowing the community cares, knowing we are supported by the community, something that has always made the hospital special.”
Gavin said in addition to the food, the staff has been receiving numerous cards of support, as well as residents making shields and masks. A week ago, the hospital started an Emergency Donation Center, seeking donations from the community for items needed to battle the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure health care workers at the hospital have the gear they need to protect them in the coming weeks, as more and more virus victims are treated.
One person donating food was Leo Zahurak, who came up with a plan to provide not just one meal but a series. Zuharek teamed up with Frank Minginro, owner of Limoncello Ristorante, to reach out to the
78 residents in the nearby Idlewilde development to raise funds to provide staff members with meals and gift cards to four West Chester area restaurants so they could take their families out after the pandemic ends.
“I spent last Tuesday in the ER and those nurses were wonderful. I wanted to do a dinner for them,” said Zahurak, as he explained how the plan started. “When they save your life, you don’t worry about money.”
Zahurak looked to Mingrino, whom he credited with being very civic minded and always doing something to give back to the community.
In the end, they raised
$3,500 in gift cards which are good at Lenape Pizza, Azuka Chinese and Japanese Cuisine, Buddies Burgers and Limoncello.
“Leo came with this idea and turned it over to Frank to execute,” said Brian Burlingame, the man who actually delivered the meals and gift cards to the hospital Friday evening. “Leo gave a pretty significant money to cater for the ER tonight. Frank challenged that community to get behind the effort. He wants to downplay it, but he does so much for the community.”
“We’re all just trying to help out,” Zahurak said.
Other area restaurants including Penn’s Table, Blue Chip Coffee, the Classic Diner and Chik Filet in Malvern have also donated meals, according to Gavin.
Residents wishing to donate food should go to the Chester County Hospital Foundation Facebook page. It will direct you to an online sign-up page where staff can sort out donations and contact the donors.
“There has such an outpouring of support from the community for Chester County Hospital,” Gavin said. “We are lucky enough that people have been calling to do what they can. Chester County Hospital is touched and inspired by the outpouring of love and support we have received from our friends and neighbors,” Gavin said. “Our teams of physicians, nurses, clinicians, housekeepers and administrators are working together to provide our community with the highest level of care during the
COVID-19 outbreak.”
Chester County Hospital is accepting the following items as part of an Emergency Donation Center Personal Protective Equipment drive: masks, face protection, paper ear loop or tie in original carton, gloves, nonlatex, all sizes in original carton, wipes, bleach, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, bottles of non-splash bleach and hand sanitizer. Also welcomed are donations of head covers (disposable bouffant type with elastic bands), disposable shoe covers, eye protection, including face shields, safety goggles, gowns, disposable water resistant cover gowns in original carton and Powered air-purifying respirators and PAPR hoods.
Donations are accepted by entering the hospital’s campus, and follow the signs to the parking garage at 1701 E. Marshall St., West Chester. Don’t get out of your car. Staff members will be controlling traffic and ensuring the process moves smoothly. Remote open or unlock your trunk so staff can access donations.
The Chester County Hospital is not accepting homesewn reusable masks or 3-D printed ventilator parts at this time.