The City of Windsor wants residents and businesses that donated medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic to know it appreciates their generosity.
It is shutting down the donation centre at the WFCU Centre.
"On March 23, we put out a call to the local community for donations of personal protective equipment," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "The response was immediate and overwhelming, and helped ensure our front line workers were able to safely continue their vital jobs."
Over 150 individuals and organizations donated materials and supplies, including 3,245 N-95 masks, 38,000 surgical face masks, 45,000 pairs of disposable gloves, and 65-bed cots and mattress covers.
That is in addition to the thousands of one-off donations of thermometers, homemade hand-sewn face masks, ear savers, humidifiers, and cleaning products.
The donations went out to workers at hospitals in Windsor and Leamington, Windsor-Essex EMS, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, the COVID-19 Shelter Hotel, long-term care and retirement homes, walk-in clinics, Huron Lodge, and the shelter at Windsor Water World.
"Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare received significant quantities of medical supplies," said Vice-President of External Affairs and Executive Director of the Changing Lives Together Foundation, Bill Marra. "At the height of the global pandemic, this was truly an example of neighbour helping neighbour."
The donations came from all over the community, including nail salons, dentists' and doctors' offices, and manufacturing facilities.