Donations & Volunteer to Make Face Masks
University Hospitals is grateful to all individuals and organizations willing to help our caregivers, patients and community during the COVID-19 crisis. With the expected surge in coronavirus-related cases, UH is taking critical steps to ensure the health safety and well-being of all those we serve.
Below is a list of opportunities for creating masks for our caregivers, donating meals and supplies and instructions on how to make a gift to support COVID-19 related care. Contributions from donors like you ensure we can continue to provide the highest-quality care to you, your family and our community during this unprecedented time.
100,000 masks. 2 weeks.
We need your support to help us reach our goal to create 100,000 face masks in 2 weeks to protect our caregivers and patients. Learn how you can help.
Create Fabric Face Masks
UH is looking for talented individuals who can sew homemade masks for our caregivers. Under normal circumstances, a fabric mask is not recommended for clinical use. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are adjusting in accordance with CDC guidelines and expert counsel. At this time, these fabric masks will not be used by health care team members caring for COVID-19 positive patients.
The masks will be made available to: (1) Visitors to our facilities; (2) Patients presenting to drive-thru testing facilities; and (3) COVID-19 patients, as an alternative to surgical masks only if they cannot tolerate other masks; (4) Caregivers who are not involved with direct patient care and are at low risk of catching COVID-19 from patients or transmitting to others.
Need Materials to Sew Masks?
We are overwhelmed and grateful for the response we received from the people of Northeast Ohio. They rose to the occasion and for that we are so grateful. UH has distributed all of our mask-making kits so if you have an outstanding mask-making kit, please finish sewing and return the completed masks so we can get them into the hands of our caregivers.
Using Your Own Materials?
UH will continue to accept donations of masks sewn by volunteers with their own materials. Check out the latest UH-approved steps for making your own via Pins & Needles:
To Mail Your Masks
If you would like to mail your masks instead of taking them to a drop-off location, please mail them to:
UH Management Services Center
Attention: 100K Mask Challenge
3605 Warrensville Center Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44122
Mask Drop-Off Locations
Finished masks can be turned in at any time using the receptacles labeled for mask return at the following locations:
- UH Elyria Medical Center, use main entrance valet for pick-up/drop-off, Get Directions
- UH Geauga Medical Center, use main entrance valet for pick-up/drop-off, Get Directions
- UH Parma Medical Center, use main entrance for pick-up/drop-off, Get Directions
- UH Management Services Center, use back entrance for pick-up/drop-off, Get Directions
For any questions regarding mask-making, please email UHClevelandVolunteer@UHHospitals.org.
Donate Food
UH is grateful for the community’s interest in donating food to our front-line caregivers. To make arrangements for food donations or food deliveries, please contact Debbie Lewis at Debbie.Lewis@UHhospitals.org or 216-844-0418.
The preferred method for food donations is a monetary purchase through our internal food and catering department. The catering department can prepare meals and ensure the safest logistics, while also they can determine the proper location for the donation. We recommend the first step to donating food or monetary contributions towards food is to contact Debbie Lewis using her email listed above to organize the preparation and delivery of the food donation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What food items can be donated?
-
We can accept meals, snacks, etc. commercially prepared by a restaurant or food service company. We cannot accept homemade food items. Grab and go items such as sandwiches, burritos, cookies, protein bars, etc. are ideal.
- How do the meals/treats need to be packaged?
-
All items must be wrapped for individual servings, ideally with one meal/item per bag/box. Individual wrapping can be in to-go containers, cellophane, etc. We cannot accept buffet, serve-yourself items or large trays of unwrapped food. Wrapping must be done by the restaurant during food preparation.
Should you wish to donate items we cannot directly accept, please consider purchasing gift cards for local restaurants that are offering take-out and/or delivery. Gift cards for these restaurants will then be distributed.
- When and where should I drop off the food donations?
-
Please make the following arrangements for food deliveries:
- Contact Debbie Lewis at Debbie.Lewis@UHhospitals.org or 216-844-0418 to ensure guidelines have not changed, to schedule your delivery and to have a staff member(s) available to accept the delivery.
- We will need to know the anticipated date and time, the item that will be provided and the cell number of the person making the delivery.
- Deliveries will be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless special arrangements are made. Delivery location and instructions will be provided to you by your contact person.
- Please do not drop by without making arrangements as we cannot assure someone will be available to accept the delivery without notice.
- We will provide an acknowledgement of your donation. Please provide a receipt at the time of drop off.
- Can I deliver the items to staff personally?
-
Staff members will meet the delivery person at a designated location. Visitors are not able to enter the hospital at this time.
- Who will receive the donations?
-
Food donations are being distributed among clinical and support staff on an as needed, rotating basis. We will include areas such as Nursing, Respiratory Therapists, Environmental Services, Laboratory Services and more.
- Can I donate gift cards instead of food?
-
Yes, gift cards for nearby restaurants offering take-out or delivery are welcome. Gift card donations are especially ideal for night staff.
Donate Supplies
UH is grateful for the community’s interest in helping our front-line caregivers. See below for the list of accepted donations. To coordinate supply drop-offs, please email UHDonations@UHHospitals.org.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Masks: Procedure masks (also referred to as isolation masks or earloop mask) and N95 masks
- Eye protection: Safety goggles or preferably, full-face shields
- Hand sanitizer: Must be at least 70 percent alcohol
- Disinfecting wipes/cleaners: Clorox and Lysol wipes are acceptable. Any other cleaners must be on the COVID-19 approved list generated by the EPA.
- Gloves: Unopened boxes of non-latex gloves
Corporate Supplies
In addition to the supplies listed above, UH is sourcing corporate materials, supplies and manufacturing capabilities that may help our caregivers on the front lines. To coordinate efforts around potential corporate donations, please contact Ryan.Sowers@uhhospitals.org.
Make a Gift Online
University Hospitals is taking critical steps to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all those we serve. We encourage you to select from one of the following funds to support UH during this time:
- The UH COVID-19 Community Response Fund will help provide the vital tools needed to diagnose, treat and prevent the coronavirus. This includes providing testing at easy access locations, developing interventions to fight the spread of the virus and supporting research and clinical trials for treatments.
- The UH COVID-19 Caregiver Support Fund will help provide the important comprehensive support caregivers need during this critical time. Offering services and resources aimed at providing comfort, compassion, special recognition and relief for caregivers is vital while they attend to the health and wellness of our communities. Your gift, of any size, can make a significant impact for our current needs.