Communities, Tidewell volunteers answer call for personal protective equipment

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tidewell Hospice put out a call for help during an unprecedented time of uncertainty for health care organizations. The response has been swift and overwhelming.

On social media and through connections to volunteers, local businesses and community and neighborhood groups, Tidewell asked for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), i.e. gloves, masks, gowns and hand sanitizer, to serve patients and families during the coronavirus outbreak.

The response was reminiscent of the homefront response during World War II, when U.S. citizens donated socks, underwear and other items to the war effort, although admittedly on a smaller scale.

Several community partners stepped forward to donate fabric for gowns and masks. Community and church quilting and sewing hobby groups have contacted Tidewell to join in the cause.

At Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch, Director of Missions Diane McCoy mobilized her congregation of more than 500 to help.

“We heard about the need from neighbors and social media. We have a sewing group, ‘Sewing Seeds of Faith,’ a group of about 20 church member women,” Diane said. “Since school is out we have some students and other church members who have jumped in with us to make masks and gowns. We reached out to Tidewell because we have seen the inspiring work and dedication of Tidewell for the community. Tidewell is a blessing to those in our community and to our church, as well.”

PPE is critical to protect clinical staff from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Tidewell is in need of all these things to protect staff and the more than 1,200 patients in our care daily.

“We’ve been so gratified by the outreach of groups that have been contacting us this week, and we need more in order to meet the long-term demands for supplies,” said Debbie Mason, EVP/Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of the Tidewell Foundation.

Tidewell Hospice’s loyal army of volunteers also is finding a way to help, even at a time when traditional volunteer duties have dwindled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The volunteer effort began Friday, when Tidewell VP of Specialized Services Stacy Groff sent out the bulletin “Sewing Volunteers Critically Needed.”

The response was immediate throughout Tidewell’s four-county service area. In Lakewood Ranch, a pair of Tidewell volunteers recruited their neighbors for the cause.

Carrie Mueller, a pet therapy volunteer who normally visits patients with her dog, Bailey, started an effort in the Del Webb community. The group of about 10 seamstresses has produced more than 100 masks already.

“Everybody’s just really pulled together,” Carrie said. “It has been fun. It’s pulled the community together, and really what else do we have to do?

“People who can’t sew are cutting the fabric. People are donating fabric.”

Regular volunteer activities have been severely cut back by the coronavirus outbreak. Tidewell volunteers are no longer visiting patients in homes or facilities. All group activities for Tidewell volunteers have been suspended until further notice.

But that hasn’t stopped volunteers from contributing to the cause.

Tidewell volunteer Judy Martin is coordinating a mask-sewing effort at Esplanade in Lakewood Ranch. She said 10 of her neighbors are sewing masks. She only knew five of those neighbors before asking for help through neighborhood communication channels. Once the coronavirus outbreak subsides, Judy plans to host a get-together for the group.

“For me, and I can imagine for other sewers, having something to do – for a health care agency especially now when the supply of masks is an uncertainty – toward helping others helps us. Sewing is stress relieving,” Judy said.

The most challenging part of creating the masks, Carrie said, is finding elastic for the straps. She has been making trips to dollar stores to buy up all the women’s headbands.

Carrie said one of the most dedicated Del Webb seamstresses, Cherie Slayter, is working through severe arthritis to produce the masks.

The sewing effort extends well beyond Lakewood Ranch. Volunteers in Venice and Bradenton are also answering the call to service. Ann Marie Keck expects to finish about 30 masks and deliver them to the Venice office by Friday.

“As I sew these masks I can’t help but think that using masks may become a new normal in hopes to prevent and protect our communities from episodes such as what we are experiencing today,” Ann Marie said.

Tidewell is extremely grateful for the generous donations of time, talent and treasure at this time of uncertainty. There is still a need for additional hand sanitizer, masks and protective gowns. To donate masks, gowns, hand sanitizer or other supplies, email philanthropy@tidewell.org or call 941-552-7546.