BOISE, Idaho — People in the Treasure Valley donated their extra medical supplies in the Albertson's parking lot on Saturday, this is an effort to help stockpile personal protective equipment for hospital workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The people in Boise are generous and they want to help, but sometimes the most difficult part in doing can be figuring out how to help.
But Gina Gorden came up with an idea after she heard about a medical donation drive in Denver, she contacted some lawmakers and they organized a donation drive with the help of Hands for Hope and the community showed up to support this idea.
"I'm truly amazed," said Todd Durbin of Hands for Hope Northwest. "I got to say the dentists and veterinarians have really stepped up and brought in supplies, it is just a blessing to see the turn out so far.”
Anthony Mongillo owns Boise Orthodontics but his practice is closed because of COVID-19 so he dropped off supplies at the donation drive.
“I can’t help my patients right now so I figured I had a lot of extra equipment that could do a lot of good for other people that really need it right now," said Mongillo. "I think it is really wonderful what they are doing to help streamline the process, they are providing a great service.”
It is unclear how many supplies were donated, but there was a steady stream of cars who dropped off masks, gloves, gowns, sanitizer and bleach.
"I grew up here and I have never seen a need not be met in the valley when it is announced," said Durbin. "This is a great place to live.”
Hands for Hope will sort out the medical personal protection equipment on Monday and then they will start distributing the supplies when local hospitals start running low on equipment.
Here is a link to an earlier story we did that has more information on how this event came together.
