Sign creator Anthony Arno of Yard-Grams honored healthcare workers with this inspiring message at Doylestown Hospital.
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action.
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 Extraordinary 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.
Celebrating Generosity
A Picture is Worth 1,ooo Words…But Books are Better Company
Thanks to Krisy Elisii and Glenda Childs of the Doylestown Bookshop, patients at Doylestown Hospital had 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 2020, eighth-grade Colette Pugliese of Girl Scouts Troop 2105 from the Sandy Run Unit, contacted Doylestown Health Foundation to donate cloth face masks. 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 2020.
A Special Occasion Made Brighter by Special Donations
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.
Unite in Gratitude for Our Healthcare Heroes
Omnicom Health Group and Unite in Gratitude honored Doylestown Health as part of a national showing of gratitude and solidarity with a special flag designed to honor healthcare workers. These groups are working to show support for the mission of our frontline workers and uniting others to support doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and all healthcare workers.
Encouraging Staff to Take a Float
Relax: Float Spa in Doylestown donated 50 gift certificates to nurses at Doylestown Hospital. The nurses learned about the facility’s four different themed float suites and the Float Spa’s gratitude for Doylestown Hospital’s hardworking staff.
Nurses Get Special New Purses
Thanks to the National Charity League – Central Bucks, nurses at Doylestown Hospital had new purses donated to them on multiple occasions since the start of the pandemic. Members put together these care kits and filled them with useful and thoughtful gifts, including items like sanitizer, lip balm, hand cream, and other tokens of appreciation.
An Artful Gift
Doylestown-based art therapists and licensed professional counselors, Johanna Kane and Erica Bucci, donated 50 art relief watercolor kits to nurses, doctors, and staff at Doylestown Hospital “who have worked so diligently and tirelessly in these times.”
Inspiring Letters
Local high school student, Rayna D., sent in handwritten letters to nurses and medical staff in the Emergency Department at Doylestown Hospital in July 2020. Each letter is unique, offering gratitude and appreciation for healthcare workers and everything they do to keep the community safe and healthy.
Nothing But Gratitude for Nothing Bundt Cakes
Jeannie Kim of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Warrington donated nearly 1,700 individual Bundt cakes to Doylestown Hospital Associates in March 2021 on the International Day of Awesomeness. We thank our Associates for their service and Jeannie for the treats.
Local Community Group Donates Essential PPE
We are grateful to the PPE Makers of Doylestown for their continued support with the creation and donation of surgical gowns to Doylestown Hospital. Support of this kind ensures our healthcare workers and patients stay safe.
Generous Gift Cards Go Throughout the Town
Shawn Cohen and Steve Fishman of Allied Mortgage Group sourced and contributed gift cards from various Doylestown restaurants to honor our healthcare workers. We are grateful for their time and commitment to Doylestown Health.
True Warriors, Both On and Off the Field
Since the Warriors Lacrosse team couldn’t play the 2020 season, the families donated nearly $3,000 from season fees to Doylestown Hospital. We are grateful for their choice to support Doylestown Health!
Dine and Donate
Mike and Antoni Christou, owners of Ardana Food & Drink and KC Prime, donated 50 percent of proceeds from both restaurants for every Tuesday in the month of February 2021, in honor of American Heart Month, totaling more than $10,000.
Realtors Reaching Out
The Bucks County Realtors Reach Out Committee donated 50 lunches to the Emergency Department at Doylestown Hospital in December 2020.
Doylestown at Dusk
The Doylestown Rotary Club raised $6,000 for Doylestown Health through the 2021 Doylestown at Dusk Rolling Car Show.
Snack Patrol
In February 2021, Herr’s and the Cowhey Family ShopRite of Warminster donated assorted snacks and refreshments to volunteers in the Doylestown Health COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Herr’s has generously sponsored numerous events with a variety of snacks throughout the year.
Lily’s Hope Foundation
As a partner of the VIA Maternity Center and the NICU, Lily’s Hope Foundation provided handmade “packages of hope” for families with babies in the NICU, and financial support to the NICU itself for a new pulse oximeter.
The Gift of Time
Pine Run Villagers offered their time and skill to help their friend and neighbor, (and kayaking enthusiast) Lou Metzger, create a custom kayak in the Pine Run Craft Barn’s wood shop in an inspiring demonstration of teamwork and camaraderie.
Wawa Hoagie Day
Doylestown Hospital Associates joined in the annual Wawa Hoagie Day thanks to a donation of hoagies from the Doylestown Wawa in July 2021.
Teen Volunteers Share Music
Doylestown Hospital Teen Volunteers Trisha and Amanda shared their musical talents with patients and caregivers on a piano donated to the hospital by community member Eleanor and her son, James.
Connecting Loved Ones
Dtown Tech Owner Blake Lertzman and his girlfriend donated ten Amazon Fire tablets to Doylestown Hospital in May 2020 for patients being treated for COVID-19 to connect with their loved ones via televideo apps—a life-changing intervention during a time of visitor restrictions.
Holiday Treat from Jules Thin Crust
Jules Thin Crust in Doylestown treated Doylestown Hospital Associates to a special lunch on Christmas Day 2020 with their food truck. This event was a morale booster for the dedicated associates working during the holidays.
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 in 2020 for the greater protection of their families, supported by generous community donations.
American Heritage Generosity
American Heritage Credit Union made several donations of personal protective equipment, including one in April 2020, and another one of 800 Level-3 isolation gowns in July 2020.
A Grateful Patient Gives Back
Alyssa C. decided to give back to Doylestown Health after receiving care at the hospital. She created and sold handmade note cards, donating the proceeds to Doylestown Health.
Cool Treats from UBS
Penn Management Group at UBS Financial Services teamed up with Annie’s Water Ice to donate treats to Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run, and Children’s Village.
Nuts for Nuts.com
Doylestown Hospital received snacks as part of Nuts.com’s Essential Snacks for Essential Workers program, delivering nuts to every hospital in the country.
Back on Their Feet
Meals for Heroes
Michael Hutkin Window Coverings partnered with Rafaa Habib and Bocelli’s Fine Italian Cuisine in Doylestown to donate and deliver more than 200 meals to Doylestown Hospital Associates.
Designer Bouffants
Mary Trocki, who made the first sample for the designers of Jones New York in 1980, handcrafted bouffant caps for nurses and knitted caps for new infants.
Vaccine Team Spirit
Debbie Dailey of the Minford Foundation sponsored t-shirts for the Doylestown Health COVID-19 vaccine teams, boosting team spirit.
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.
Messages of Hope for Doylestown
On April 13, 2020, 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 honored to share here.
Celebrating National Doctors Day
On March 30, 2020, we recognized National Doctors Day by honoring our doctors and clinical staff for the work they do every day. We were overwhelmed with messages of love and gratitude from our community. Here are a few of them that show how much our community cherishes and honors our hospital staff.
Signs of the Times
In the early weeks of spring 2020, some new—and uplifting—signs of the times started to appear…specifically, lawn signs. “Support our Doylestown Health Heroes” spread rapidly in proud new signs all over the region 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 to order here for pick-up at the hospital. Anyone interested is encouraged to make a donation in support of Doylestown Health.
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 2020 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 2020.
In May 2020, 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.
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick joined members of the Nepali Association Pennsylvania and Group Health Incorporated, who graciously donated lunch from Namaste Indian Bistro.
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.
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 and Bacco Bistro donated pizzas weekly throughout April 2020 and May 2020, and Domino’s Pizza donated twenty pizzas three times a week from March 2020 to June 2020 (totaling more than 850 pizzas!). Steve Novello, a longtime donor who was treated for a heart attack at Doylestown Hospital, donated meals three times a week from several local restaurants to the hospital throughout May 2020. 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. Their generosity and ingenuity contributed 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 Fasteners to Face Protection
Learning of the rising need for personal protective equipment, PennEngineering reconfigured equipment lines to manufacture face shields for healthcare providers. When Chris Anderson, BS, RRT, CPFT, Director of Respiratory Care, and another physician created a prototype PVC framework to protect healthcare workers while intubating patients, PennEngineering replicated the design overnight and delivered complete models the following morning.
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 2020, 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, Timberlane 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.
Associate Appreciation
Courtesy of the MeatWagon BBQ food truck, Ashfield, Blommer Chocolate Company, and Frankford Candy, Associates of Doylestown Health received a luncheon in gratitude for their work and dedication to quality healthcare. Keith Garner and Joey De Noble (Keith and Joey Music) provided live entertainment all afternoon.
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, 2020, 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, 2020.
Support from Nonprofit Partners
Organizations of all kinds and creeds came together to support Doylestown Health and our healthcare heroes. In May 2020, two nonprofit organizations local to Doylestown and longstanding partners with Doylestown Health Foundation—the Minford Foundation and Pine2Pink—created care packages for nurses at Doylestown Health’s Cancer Institute and the COVID treatment units in Doylestown Hospital. The kits included lotion for chapped hands, a machine-washable drawstring bag for scrubs, plastic bags to protect personal devices, clips and headbands for PPE, candy, lip balm, face cream, and more.
In June 2020, the Minford Foundation donated chocolates and gift cards from local restaurants to staff working on the COVID treatment units.
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 CB East decided to use some of the funds saved in their class account to donate meals to Doylestown Hospital, and late in May 2020 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!”
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.
Special Notes
Fourth Grade students of John Barclay Elementary school sent in notes of gratitude and encouragement to healthcare workers at Doylestown Hospital.
Gifts of Gratitude
Students of Gayman Elementary School brought handmade notes and letters of thanks for the nurses, doctors, and Associates of Doylestown Hospital.
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.
Treats from Tohickon Middle School
In June 2020, eighth-grade students of Tohickon Middle School organized and delivered 200 bags of treats to healthcare workers in the COVID-treatment unit at Doylestown Hospital, as well as the ICU, CVICU/IVU, and Emergency Department.
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 2020, 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 and Cards from our Doylestown Family
Artwork, cards, posters, and other messages of encouragement and thanks have been posted in the Main Lobby and Art Walk 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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