Your care and generosity gives our Hospital’s caregivers strength to endure.

We know Guelph has a strong reputation for being a caring and generous community, but in the face of adversity, we have been truly humbled to witness the full extent of our community’s desire and commitment to support Guelph General Hospital.

Since mid-March, the generosity of 750 individuals and organizations has rolled up to nearly $500,000 in our COVID-19 Critical Response Fund. These funds are available to help the Hospital respond to emerging needs related to the pandemic. For example, donations could fund new ventilators that are currently on order, items that make it easier for us to maximize our critical supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), and supports for our staff.

In addition to financial donations, hundreds of you have reached out offering support in many other ways. Individuals and businesses have donated PPE. Local manufacturers have leveraged their equipment to produce face shields for our frontline healthcare workers. Local distilleries started making hand sanitizer and have donated a generous supply to the Hospital.

One donor purchased 20 computer tablets to make it possible for our patients to visit virtually with loved ones.

To manage all the in-kind donations, Linamar Corporation has stepped up to be our off-site receiver, warehousing and tracking inventory.

More than 200 community members have put their sewing skills to use. We’ve received more than 10,000 sewn items including cloth masks, scrub caps, and ear savers.

Hundreds of items have been donated to support staff including restaurant gift certificates, snacks, beverages, magazines, insoles, gift bags and hand cream. Still other businesses and individuals are starting their own fundraisers with proceeds being directed to our COVID-19 Critical Response Fund.

Just as meaningful, are the heartfelt messages sent through our White Heart Project. Close to 200 messages have been received and are displayed for staff to read and draw strength from. Thank-you messages and beautiful words of encouragement continue to appear in the growing rock garden in front of the Hospital, in the windows of homes, and on sidewalks. These messages are noticed and appreciated more than you can ever imagine.

“These are exceptionally challenging times, but together we are stronger,” said Suzanne Bone, CEO, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital. “I feel so much gratitude for every person and organization that has stepped forward to offer help.”

We’ve created an album on our Facebook page to showcase and celebrate this incredible generosity. Please visit our album and, while on our Facebook page, give us
a like!