HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – At the height of the pandemic this past spring, Hunterdon Healthcare received thousands of cards, posters, and handwritten notes from local teachers and students throughout Hunterdon County.
In addition, many schools donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Hunterdon Medical Center. This fall, as schools embark on going back to in-person and virtual learning, they are all facing new challenges.
Hunterdon Healthcare wanted to show support to Hunterdon County schools and donated nearly 5,000 reusable cloth masks to every teacher and support staff in all 55 public schools and district offices. Masks were also donated to Immaculate Conception School and Hunterdon Preparatory School both located in Annandale.
“We were touched by the outpouring messages of support for all our staff throughout the healthcare system and we wanted to do something to give back to our schools. They were there for us when we needed those messages of hope and encouragement and we want to be there for them as they return to learning in the classroom during these unprecedented times,” said Patrick Gavin, President and CEO, Hunterdon Healthcare.
Hunterdon Healthcare has been promoting the importance of wearing a mask as part of their “Masking Up Matters” campaign. Masks are essential to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
To wear a mask correctly it is important to:
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask.
- Put the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face and make sure you can breathe easily.
“When the pandemic arrived, the schools of Hunterdon County were the first among the state to donate medical and PPE supplies to our first responders and frontline healthcare workers throughout Hunterdon Healthcare,” said Juan Torres, Interim Executive Superintendent of Schools, Hunterdon County. “And now, as our districts gear up for a school year unlike any other, Hunterdon Healthcare is helping our schools do just that. We are all in this together and we’re grateful for these partnerships.”
Dr. Rick Falkenstein, Superintendent of Kingwood Township School and Hunterdon County Superintendent Association’s President said, “We value the relationship we have with Hunterdon Healthcare. We have been able to work together to provide guidance, education and support to our teachers, staff and student families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation of masks to our local schools is just another example of how well the schools and Hunterdon Healthcare work together to provide for the communities we serve.”
Hunterdon Healthcare also produced two educational resource videos for parents/guardians on COVID-19 and one just for children. Links to those videos are below:
https://youtu.be/96Ek9iFiwLY
https://youtu.be/R2ttHcdKjOE
For more information on COVID-19, visit hunterdonhealthcare.org.
