The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is doing its part to support Manitoba’s health care system by donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline workers.
Last week, custodians, science teachers and administrators from across LRSD’s 40 schools worked together to search through cabinets, closets and storage rooms to collect a considerable donation for health care workers.
The group collected approximately:
- 800 boxes of gloves
- 30 boxes of N95 masks
- 20 face shields
- 300 safety glasses
“I am totally amazed by how quickly this all came together,” said Charlie Robert, Director of Facilities at LRSD. “Our maintenance staff picked up the supplies from schools on Tuesday, and staff members had started putting this together only a few days prior to pick up. Now that is teamwork!”
While the number of donated PPE is significant, LRSD made sure it had enough supplies on hand to help protect staff members who are busy ensuring schools are clean and others who are distributing materials to students.
LRSD has also donated fabric to Doctors Manitoba to assist in the manufacturing of protective gowns.
While many people were enjoying a peaceful and relaxed Good Friday, Heidi Forrester, Human Ecology Consultant, spent her holiday collecting fabric from the Textile Labs throughout the division so Doctors Manitoba could begin production as soon as possible.
“We all have to do what we can to help,” said Forrester. “As a person who sews, our services are in demand like never before. I hope the Textiles students realize how valuable the skills they are learning are to others.”
Industrial Arts teachers in LRSD are pitching in as well, using 3D printers to produce face shields and ear protectors for healthcare workers. An organization called Shop 3D reached out to Richard Pharand, Industrial Arts Consultant, to coordinate the design, materials, shipping and logistics of the masks.
“When LRSD Industrial Arts teachers were asked to participate, the response was overwhelming,” said Pharand. “We have 11 Industrial Arts teachers as well as a school principal producing several hundred units weekly, with many printers running up to 12 hours a day.”
Pharand says the equipment will be sent to health care workers across Manitoba and Canada, with the first batch already on its way to Winnipeg Clinic.
