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The Westmounter
“We knew we faced an emergency situation when it
came to the required PPE and its availability,” explains
Dr. Gartner. “Initially, I thought I could set up shop and
coordinate the collection and distribution from my
garage. I quickly realized that idea was naïve. I reached
out to Brad about using Westmount’s facility and he
agreed right away.”
Communitech helped communicate this PPE drive.
The community’s response was overwhelming. While
operations in the curling lounge shut down in early
July–moving to Ray of Hope–donations continued
throughout the summer.
“You saved us!” says Dr. Gartner. “I’m not being
melodramatic. Members, through your help and
support, have protected the medical community. My
sincerest gratitude on behalf of all front-line workers!”
ppe campaign helps
our community
WESTMOUNT MEMBERS GIVE BACK BY DAVID MCPHERSON
“It was incredible,” adds Tobi, reflecting back on this
campaign. “I think about all the people that PPE drive
One million. That’s the amount “Stuff just kept coming and coming and coming,” Tobi kept safe in our community … it’s such a good feeling.
of medical equipment and says. “People in our community really understand when Sometimes, I wonder, without all of our efforts to gather
there is a need and they step up; it’s truly a unique
safety supplies Member Tobi feature of Waterloo Region.” and donate those needed supplies what things would
have looked like? It gave manufacturers time to get
Day-Hamilton estimates flowed For more than 120 days, Tobi, the co-founder and ramped up and gave people a real sense of security.
through Westmount’s Curling Executive Director of LAUNCH Waterloo, called “It was also great way for the members of Westmount
lounge from March 19 to early Westmount’s Curling Lounge home. From here, she to give back,” she continues.“
July 2020. What started as a spearheaded the PPE drive, coordinating more than “Everyone was feeling helpless. You can always give
100 volunteers. Member Dr. Sean Gartner proposed
one-day Personal Protective the idea to GM Brad Duench in early April. As a family money, but what else can you do? Thank you to Brad
Equipment (PPE) drive became physician, Dr. Gartner sensed that once cases of for being open to the idea of making Westmount a hub
a four-month long campaign. coronavirus increased in the region, the need for PPE for this community initiative. We could not have done
for front-line workers would be high. this without him and the support of the his staff.”
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