(WXYZ) — The Detroit Public Safety Foundation accepted the donation of 10,000 medical gowns to help protect Detroit’s first-responders.
The gowns were donated by a new non-profit, Angels Wear Gowns, which recruited 300 volunteers to work around the clock to meet this need for the Detroit Fire, EMS and Police Departments.
The volunteers were motivated by the memory of 5-year old Skylar Herbert and are making the donation in her honor.
The Detroit Public Safety Foundation was approached about this need and thanks to a longstanding partnership with Cary Thompson, a Royal Oak Firefighter and community philanthropist, the DPSF was connected with the Angels Wear Gowns non-profit. Thompson helped facilitate the donation and they were able to meet the need within a matter of weeks.
“We continue to be amazed by the support of this community and volunteers from across the state,” said Patti Kukula, Executive Director of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.
“So far, every time we have been approached by DPD and DFD with a specific need, we have been able to find community partners to help us fill the request. That is the true spirit of Detroit and a testament to all Michiganders.”
The non-profit Angels Wear Gowns was founded on April 1, 2020 and the group has already made more than 23,000 gowns for medical personnel and first-responders. They relied on the donation of supplies and received the material from Lowe’s, Duct Tape and the Chelsea Lumber Company.
More than 300 volunteers from churches, civic organizations and private citizens worked tirelessly to complete this request in a matter of weeks.
More gowns were made in one week for this order than the entire previous month. Robin and Jeff Staebler founded the non-profit.
“We are just two small-town people wanting to do good for our country and to make a difference at this time,” Robin explained. “It has been good for everyone’s heart, soul and mind. This has given us and our volunteers a sense of purpose and satisfaction during such a scary time.”
The gowns were distributed mostly to the Detroit Fire and EMS division. The 1151 Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics who work for DFD wear the gowns as part of their full Personal Protective Equipment.
When responding to high risk calls for medical response, they wear the gown, N-95 mask, face shield and gloves. These mandates help keep the first-responders and citizens safe.
The Detroit Police Department received a portion of the gowns as well for the protection of officers and citizens on any medical, mental illness or other call that would warrant the gown for additional protection.
This donation was in honor of 5-year old Skylar Herbert who died from COVID-19 and was the daughter of a Detroit Firefighter and Detroit Police Officer.
The Herbert family attended the press conference to help accept the donation made in Skylar’s memory.
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