Hospital Foundation Delivers 5,000 Masks to Most Vulnerable Populations

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Hospital Foundation Delivers 5,000 Masks to Most Vulnerable Populations

The Salinas Valley Health Foundation delivered personal protective equipment to local community-based organizations to help protect frontline volunteers and the at-risk populations they serve.

Jeff Wardwell, Chief Philanthropy Officer of Salinas Valley Health Foundation and Tiffany DiTullio, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Monterrey County identified non-profit organizations with immediate need for earloop style masks. The Salinas Valley Health Foundation leveraged its affiliation with the Hospital to secure favorable pricing on 5,000 earloop masks and distributed the PPE today to six non-profit organizations.

“This is an incredible example of how the people of Monterey County continue to care for their community,” said Jeff Wardwell, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Salinas Valley Health Foundation. “The opportunity our Foundation has been given to provide this level of direct impact would not be a reality without them. Our community volunteers and our most at-risk populations will be safer because of their commitment. “

While units are still being allocated, some of the sizeable distributions today include:

• Dorothy’s Place (2000)
• Salvation Army (500)
• Meals on Wheels (500)
• Alliance on Aging (500)
• YMCA (200)
• ITN (100)

Salinas Valley Health Foundation is encouraging its generous donors to give to the organization’s Greatest Needs Fund. Donations are being used to support efforts to keep dedicated volunteers and the people they serve safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Blue Zones Project Monterey County was instrumental in identifying organizations most in need at this time.

“Aligning community partners in a way that elevates the good work being done in our community is an important focus of Blue Zones Project Monterey County,” said Blue Zones Project Monterey County Executive Director, Tiffany DiTullio. “When individuals have the opportunity to engage in their community, great things happen.”

The targeted give-away of 5,000 masks is the first of many direct impact projects the Foundation is spearheading to provide relief to those who need it most to support public safety during the crisis. https://www.svmhfoundation.org