As a global health crisis began to take root in Bucks County in the spring of 2020, one thing became overwhelmingly clear: the Doylestown Health community is truly an extraordinary one. From generous donations of funds, medical supplies, and meals, to innovative and thoughtful ways to show support for our healthcare heroes, the community has come together in unprecedented and inspiring ways. Their generosity demonstrates that we are truly One Community.
We are deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for the outpouring of goodwill and support from the community and our Doylestown Health family. The stories and pictures below show only a fraction of the immense and immeasurable support we have received from all members of the community. Words alone can never be enough to say THANK YOU!
We want to hear from you! If you don’t see your picture below and you would like to, or if you want to share a story, message, photo, or video with us, please contact us at OneCommunity@DH.org.
Support from our Community
When the calls began to go out for urgently needed medical supplies and equipment, our Doylestown Health family answered. Donations of all kinds have poured in, ranging from the critical personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, to boxes of Girl Scout cookies, to flowers and mindfulness care packages. Doylestown Health is deeply grateful for this incredible generosity—masks and other medical supplies continue to be in short supply. Here’s how you can help.
Messages of Hope for Doylestown
On Monday, April 13, Doylestown Health invited the community to come together from a distance and send messages of hope and encouragement to our healthcare heroes on the front lines. They responded with an outpouring of support including prayers, photos, music, and artwork that we are pleased and honored to share here.
Celebrating National Doctors Day
On March 30, we recognized National Doctors Day by honoring our doctors and clinical staff for the outstanding work they’re doing every day. We were overwhelmed with moving messages of love and gratitude from our community. Here are just a few of them that show just how much our community cherishes and honors our physicians and hospital staff.
Signs of the Times
In the early weeks of spring, some new—and uplifting—signs of the times started to appear…specifically, lawn signs. “Support our Doylestown Health Heroes” is now emblazoned in proud new signs cropping up all over the region as our community rallies to show support and solidarity for our healthcare workers. The signs were sponsored and organized by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), which founded the first Doylestown Hospital in 1923 and continues to oversee governance of Doylestown Health to this day. Signs are available for order here, for pick-up at the hospital or no-contact delivery to a provided address. Anyone interested is encouraged to make a donation in support of Doylestown Health during the current healthcare crisis.
Signs of the Times
In the early weeks of spring, some new—and uplifting—signs of the times started to appear…specifically, lawn signs. “Support our Doylestown Health Heroes” is now emblazoned in proud new signs cropping up all over the region as our community rallies to show support and solidarity for our healthcare workers. The signs were sponsored and organized by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), which founded the first Doylestown Hospital in 1923 and continues to oversee governance of Doylestown Health to this day. Signs are available for order here, for pick-up at the hospital or no-contact delivery to a provided address. Anyone interested is encouraged to make a donation in support of Doylestown Health during the current healthcare crisis.
Thanking Our Heroes
Messages of thanks to our healthcare heroes have come in from all quarters. Students of Debbie Dailey (a longtime Doylestown Health donor) at Our Lady of Mount Carmel created thank-you cards for healthcare workers; day-campers of Children’s Village planted “love notes” for healthcare workers in the outside garden; and fourth grade students in Jennifer Flanagan’s class at Groveland Elementary School sent pictures of cards they made with messages of encouragement to their healthcare heroes.
Thanking Our Heroes
Messages of thanks to our healthcare heroes have come in from all quarters. Students of Debbie Dailey (a longtime Doylestown Health donor) at Our Lady of Mount Carmel created thank-you cards for healthcare workers; day-campers of Children’s Village planted “love notes” for healthcare workers in the outside garden; and fourth grade students in Jennifer Flanagan’s class at Groveland Elementary School sent pictures of cards they made with messages of encouragement to their healthcare heroes.
Gifts from the Heart, for the Stomach
There are many different kinds of generosity. From the very earliest weeks of the coronavirus crisis, offers and donations of food have been among the most frequent and generous—and their stories are inspiring. Calls have come in from restaurants and businesses across Bucks County and beyond offering hot meals, bagel breakfasts, sandwich lunches, and more pizza than anyone could have imagined. Local restaurants in Doylestown, in particular, have shown their town pride and deep commitment to the hospital with generous donations of meals, some of them committing to weekly or more frequent deliveries.
On behalf of our clinical teams and hospital heroes, we express our deepest thanks for the generosity and incredible support of our community.
Local Officials in Solidarity
Former Pennsylvania State Representative Marguerite Quinn dropped off medical supplies in April and took home a “Support our Doylestown Health Heroes” lawn sign (sponsored by the VIA).
In partnership with local small businesses, Pennsylvania State Representative Wendy Ullman helped provide 250 bagels from Manhattan Bagel in Chalfont in honor of Nurses Week.
In May, U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, in partnership with BAPS Charities, helped provide 60 lunches to Associates working in the three COVID-19 treatment units at Doylestown Hospital.
A Sweet Sign of Gratitude
Jeanne and John Hubbard, longstanding partners and philanthropic supporters of Doylestown Health, made a special donation to the clinical teams working directly with COVID-19 patients in the three ICUs and the ER. They ordered a delivery of custom-wrapped chocolates from Raymer’s Homemade Candies in Doylestown, which were distributed to nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other medical personnel working on the front line of these critical units. The Hubbards have made exceptionally generous gifts to Doylestown Health, including contributions to the recently opened Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care. Read more here.
Treats for Health Heroes
Though donations of meals and snacks for hospital clinical teams have been remarkably generous, demonstrating the community’s unparalleled support, donations of Girl Scout cookies have stood out in a special way. Dozens of cases of cookies have been distributed throughout the hospital and off-site practices, bringing smiles to masked faces and a welcome treat to hard workers. From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful for the kindness and generosity of the many Girl Scout troops and individuals who have donated. We—and our healthcare heroes—thank you.
Treats for Health Heroes
Though donations of meals and snacks for hospital clinical teams have been remarkably generous, demonstrating the community’s unparalleled support, donations of Girl Scout cookies have stood out in a special way. Dozens of cases of cookies have been distributed throughout the hospital and off-site practices, bringing smiles to masked faces and a welcome treat to hard workers. From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful for the kindness and generosity of the many Girl Scout troops and individuals who have donated. We—and our healthcare heroes—thank you.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…But Books are Better Company
Thanks to Krisy Elisii of the Doylestown Bookshop, patients at Doylestown Hospital have some new reading material to pass the time during the temporary restrictions on visitors. “Our hearts go out to those who are sick and isolated from family and friends,” said Elisii. “Often, books can be the best companions and we would like to provide these patients with something to read while they recover.”
Local Girl Scout Shows True Dedication to the Community
Late in March, eighth-grade Colette Pugliese of Girl Scouts Troop 2105 from the Sandy Run Unit, contacted Doylestown Health Foundation to donate cloth face masks to Doylestown Hospital. Colette was working on her silver award, an optional project for cadettes showing dedication to the community. “I hope I can help support your establishment in this time of need,” Colette wrote. All in all, she made 160 masks for our healthcare heroes and delivered them (in the pouring rain) in April.
A Special Occasion Made Brighter by Special Donations from Community Partners
Many thanks to Botanical Blueprints, Mmm Cakes, and Max’s Catering Company for all the trimmings to celebrate an employee retirement. With gathering restrictions in place, it wasn’t possible to give the tea party customary for retiring staff. Doylestown Health Foundation was thrilled to bring these donations together in recognition and celebration of a staff member’s last day.
Loyal Contributors
Though dozens of donations of meals and care packages came in during the most critical weeks of the COVID-19 crisis from individuals and businesses in the community, some went the extra mile and set up regular meal deliveries on a weekly or even more frequent basis. Jule’s Thin Crust in Doylestown donated pizzas weekly throughout April and May and Domino’s Pizza donated ten pizzas three times a week throughout April. Steve Novello, a longtime donor who was treated for a heart attack at Doylestown Hospital, donated weekly meals from several local restaurants to the hospital throughout May. Bacco’s in Doylestown, Manhattan Bagel, and Nina’s Waffles & Sweets also made regular donations for several weeks to different treatment units. We are overwhelmed by the great generosity of these businesses and individuals who went above and beyond to bring comfort and refreshment to our healthcare heroes!
“Transformational” Gifts
From Carolers to Cloth Masks
Longtime partners and supporters of Doylestown Health, Byers Choice Ltd. answered the call for homemade masks by transforming their operation into a cloth mask assembly line. Now keeping up regular deliveries, their generosity and ingenuity contribute to Doylestown Hospital’s critically needed supply of cloth masks for patients and non-clinical employees, freeing up the supply of respirator masks (N95s) for healthcare heroes working on the front lines.
From Spirits to Sanitizer
As supplies of hand sanitizer quickly became scarce, Bucks County distillery Hewn Spirits realized they could do something to help. By the beginning of April, they had transformed vats of bourbon, rye, and rum into 80-percent proof hand sanitizer following guidelines from the World Health Organization. Doylestown Hospital gratefully received several cases of hand sanitizer that had once been bourbon whiskey, both in spray bottles and pumps.
From Shutters to Shields
Facing temporary closure due to the statewide mandate, Timberline Inc. of Montgomery County came up with a way to keep employees working while supporting the local effort to battle the spread of coronavirus. Timberlane converted its manufacturing process from wood shutters for historic homes to plexiglass face shields for physicians at Doylestown Hospital.
From Fasteners to Face Protection
Learning of the rising need for personal protective equipment—especially face shields—PennEngineering, which makes fasteners for multiple industries, reconfigured some equipment lines to begin manufacturing face shields for healthcare providers in the area. Chris Yurick of PennEngineering contacted Doylestown Health Foundation to arrange a donation of face shields, which were received in April.
Join the Cause!
Have you found a creative way to convert your business operation into a tool for Doylestown Health clinical staff? Share your story with us! Email OneCommunity@dh.org and tell us about it.
Connecting Loved Ones
Blake Lertzman, owner of Dtown Tech in Doylestown, and his girlfriend donated ten Amazon Fire tablets to Doylestown Hospital in May, in order for patients being treated for COVID-19 to connect with their families and loved ones via televideo apps—a life-changing intervention during a time of visitor restrictions.
PHILLYSTRONG AT DOYLESTOWN HOSPITAL
Organized by Aardvark Mobile Tours in partnership with Bimbo Bakeries USA, Dietz & Watson, Herr’s, and Ardmore Toyota, Doylestown Hospital Associates enjoyed a free lunch on May 7, with live music provided by popular local musicians Keith Garner and Joey De Noble. Read more about the event in honor of our healthcare heroes here.
OPERATION: THANK YOU
Karen Thompson, founder of LSL Brands (which includes Lace Silhouettes, the Cotton Company, Signatures, and Fox and Holly in Doylestown) donated 800 of her patented WishWraps to Doylestown Hospital Associates in a philanthropic initiative she termed “OPERATION: THANK YOU”. The WishWraps were distributed to Associates leaving their shifts on April 13.
Boots on the Ground
Ethan Quinn, a Squire of the Knights of Columbus, organized a donation drive through his church, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Doylestown, collecting medical supplies and cash contributions for Doylestown Hospital. Two young altruists set up a roadside donation stand in their neighborhood to collect funds for healthcare heroes at Doylestown Hospital.
Meals for Heroes
Chris Nardo and C&N SE Regional donated meals from Paganini Ristorante in Doylestown to Doylestown Hospital workers staying in the dormitories at Delaware Valley University. Doylestown Health arranged accommodations for healthcare workers treating patients with COVID-19 for the greater protection of their families, supported by generous community donations.
CENTRAL BUCKS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Generosity from the Class of 2020
Doylestown Health received incredible support from Central Buck High School East’s Class of 2020 in the spring. The seniors of CBHSE decided to use some of the funds saved in their class account to donate meals to Doylestown Hospital, and late in May some students created and shared video messages of gratitude to the healthcare workers. We are pleased to invite you to watch those messages here.
A Thank-You From Ameya
Inspired by the healthcare heroes going to work every day, Ameya Dunlap—whose mom is a Doylestown Hospital Associate—created this special book as her way of saying “Thank you!”
Special Notes
Fourth Grade students of John Barclay Elementary school sent in notes of gratitude and encouragement to healthcare workers at Doylestown Hospital.
Kindergarten Masks
Kate Vehling, a kindergarten teacher for both Linden Elementary and Pine Run Elementary schools, got her classes to design a face mask for their healthcare heroes.
Holicong Middle School Collaborates
The Freshman class of Holicong Middle School worked with the Honey Baked Ham Company in New Britain to donate 103 lunches to healthcare workers on the COVID-19 treatment units, the COVID-19 testing team, Emergency Department, and Security. An additional 95 meals were donated to the evening and night shifts in those units.
Dog Days
Visitor restrictions at the hospital include therapy dogs, too…so the Doylestown Health volunteer team came up with a way to bring a little encouragement from the therapy dogs to the hospital staff. Posters were hung in the hallways and copies of these “notes” left at nursing stations and staff offices throughout the hospital.
Dog Days
Visitor restrictions at the hospital include therapy dogs, too…so the Doylestown Health volunteer team came up with a way to bring a little encouragement from the therapy dogs to the hospital staff. Posters were hung in the hallways and copies of these “notes” left at nursing stations and staff offices throughout the hospital.
Our Community “ROCKS”!
Early in May, these encouraging rock messages appeared in the landscaping outside Doylestown Hospital. Thank you to this anonymous donor or group of donors for expressing your appreciation and encouragement to our healthcare heroes with these beautiful rocks!
Posters in the Main Lobby
Artwork and other messages of encouragement and thanks have been posted in the Main Lobby of Doylestown Hospital, demonstrating community support to the healthcare workers coming to work every day, and the patients and visitors as the hospital begins to return to normal activity.
SHARE WITH US
We’re all in this together—One Community working for the greater good. Do you have a story to share about your part in supporting Doylestown Hospital and our healthcare heroes? Send it to us at OneCommunity@DH.org.
You can also support Doylestown Health with a donation and make an immediate impact on the life-changing work we do every day. We invite you to join our mission or continue your support. Thank you for your generosity and for being part of the Doylestown Health family.
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