Tidewell Foundation Hosts Linen Drive to Support Patients in Need

Drive collects new towels and sheets from community for resource-limited Tidewell Hospice patients.

In partnership with Leadership Sarasota and the Junior League Sustainers, the Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is hosting a linen drive for Tidewell Hospice patients from Jan. 17-Feb. 14. Donated linens will be made available to Tidewell Hospice field teams, who will distribute the sheets and towels to resource-limited patients receiving in-home and assisted-living facility hospice care.

With the pandemic placing increased financial strain on people living paycheck to paycheck or at risk of outliving their savings, there are Tidewell Hospice patients of all ages receiving in-home and assisted-living care who don’t have the access or resources to obtain linens. Too often, nurses and aides care for patients who don’t have clean sheets to sleep in or fresh towels to care for themselves. With the community’s help, these patients will be able to finally have clean sheets and towels, a necessity for their hygiene and medical care. Through the linen drive, members of the community can purchase or donate new, twin extra-large sheet sets or towel sets to hospice patients in need.

“We are so grateful to partner with Leadership Sarasota and the Junior League Sustainers on this important initiative,” said Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason. “Many Tidewell Hospice patients — from younger ones facing financial hardship to older ones exhausting what’s left of their money — don’t have the means or ability to purchase much-needed towels and sheets. It can be especially challenging for the latter group, with more than 22% of seniors in our region living alone and at least 13% living below the poverty line. We appreciate our generous community for their support of patients in need.”

Each year, Tidewell Hospice provides care for nearly 10,000 patients throughout its four-county service area of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. The Tidewell Foundation provides perpetual support for the world-class hospice and home health care of Tidewell Hospice.

“In keeping with the Junior League mission of serving the community, our Sustainer members are enthusiastic about partnering with the Tidewell Foundation to support Tidewell Hospice’s patients with much-needed linens,” said Bev Fisher, Sustainer vice president, Junior League of Sarasota.

The community can donate new linens by purchasing them here. Additionally, those interested in contributing can purchase or drop off new linens at any of these locations:

• Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce: 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Treasures Thrift Shop: 523 Venice Bypass #41, Venice, FL 34285
• The Grove: 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
• Robert Toale & Sons: Manasota Memorial Park: 1221 53rd Ave. East, Bradenton, FL 34203
• Kays-Ponger & Uselton: 635 E. Marion Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
• Tidewell Foundation Building at Longboat Key: 540 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, FL 34228

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About Tidewell Foundation, Inc. 

The Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation established to ensure perpetual philanthropic support to Tidewell Hospice and the healthcare companies within the Stratum Health System family. Charitable contributions to the Tidewell Foundation sustain and grow the critically important programs and services provided through the not-for-profit mission of Tidewell Hospice and its affiliates. Donor-funded programs offer compassion and comfort to those who need it most in our community by caring for all, regardless of their ability to pay. It starts with generosity and is paid forward with every patient connection, family served and life changed. Discover how each donation strengthens our community; learn more by visiting www.tidewellfoundation.org.