As hospitals across Western New York brace for a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Ken-Ton school community is coming together to help ensure the safety of health care workers. The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District and the Kenmore-Tonawanda School Employees Association delivered a donation of gloves, masks and goggles to Kenmore Mercy, a Catholic Health facility, at the end of March.

"When we heard our local hospital was in need, I got in touch with our union and employees associations. Within a few days, teachers and staff scoured classrooms at Kenmore West Senior High School, Kenmore East and the Ken-Ton Big Picture Program," said William C. Conrad III, Social Studies co-department chair at Kenmore West High School. 

Kenmore Mercy, along with all of Catholic Health, continues to work with vendors, regional partners and the local, state and federal governments to build its arsenal of personal protective equipment.
Dawn M. Cwierley, public relations manager with Kenmore Mercy, said that the hospital is extremely grateful for the support and donations from the community. "Ken-Ton schools really stepped up to help us keep our frontline staff safe with needed personal protective equipment. We can't thank them enough."

Catholic Health has had a tremendous unsolicited response from local private companies and further welcomes the community's assistance to provide its healthcare professionals with masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an extraordinary need for FDA-approved PPE equipment, in particular N95 and surgical masks.