Community support for urgent needs greatly appreciated

Please support the COVID-19 response at Ross Memorial Hospital

March 24, 2020 - In recent weeks, the Ross Memorial Hospital and Foundation teams have been touched to receive phone calls and emails offering support through donations and messages of thanks for those working tirelessly to keep our patients and community safe and healthy. Thank you.

For the frontline people on the Ross Team, that show of caring and support is of great help. Your words of encouragement let them know that their community appreciates their extra efforts during these unprecedented times, and your donations help meet critical COVID-related needs at the hospital.

We encourage you to continue sharing your messages of support. And for those who want to do more, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation has established a special fund, called Heroes at Heart, to support urgent equipment and technology needs as the Ross responds to the pandemic.   

Frontline caregivers are local heroes. So are those who support their difficult work. 

To support the COVID-19 response at RMH, please give to our Heroes at Heart fund by phone (705-328-6146), by email (foundation@rmh.org) or online (www.rmh.org/foundation). 

To Donate Personal Protective Equipment

With the world responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks. The Hospital is accepting donations of unopened/unused surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, gloves, and waterproof gowns to support our front-line workers. Any community businesses, including dental offices, medical offices, veterinarians, and construction businesses that may have supplies available can contact Christine Wood at cwood@rmh.org  or 705-324-6111 ext. 4628 to arrange.

While homemade masks are not being accepted for frontline caregivers at Ross Memorial Hospital, they are an option for visitors and patients who are leaving the hospital and heading home with instructions to ensure the masks are used and cleaned properly.

If you sew, and you’d like to put your skills toward the local COVID-19 effort, you are invited to make masks.

Mask Design

A simple 2-ply, pleated mask design can be found online. The Centre for Disease Control provides several patterns here.

In addition to regular sewing equipment, you will need:

1. Dark-coloured polyester fabric for the outside of the mask (this could be substituted with 100% cotton if polyester is not available)

2. Light-coloured 100% cotton for the part of the mask that goes against the skin

3. Elastic for ear loops (note: If elastic is not available, cloth ties can be used)

Please use clean fabric to make the masks. Ross Memorial Hospital will also wash all masks before distributing them.

It will be everyone's responsibility to keep their mask clean. We recommend washing masks daily with hot water and laundry detergent.

How can I drop off my masks?

Please put your sewn masks in a clear, labelled plastic bag with your contact information (name, address, email address and phone number). Providing your contact information gives us the opportunity to thank you!

The masks can be dropped off in the Ross Memorial Hospital’s main lobby between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Or you may choose to mail the masks to:

Ross Memorial Hospital (attention: Christine Wood)
10 Angeline St. North
Lindsay, ON K9V 4M8 

We’re very grateful for the offers of support from so many individuals, groups and businesses in the community. You are all Heroes at Heart!