A Richmond business, backed by Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser and actor Ryan Reynolds, is hosting a donation drive on Saturday to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health-care workers.
Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration (PPCR), a full-service fire and flood restoration company, will accept donations from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at its warehouse at 13880 Mayfield Place – near the Richmond Driving Range on No. 6 Road.
Staff will collect PPE donations onsite and practice social-distancing, so there will be no contact.
The initiative started over a week ago after Wickenheiser reached out to PPCR, asking them to collaborate with Conquer COVID-19 to arrange a PPE drive on the west coast, according to Tony Scott, president and CEO of PPCR.
Conquer COVID-19, a grassroots, volunteer driven organization composed by business leaders and volunteers, aims to address the essential needs of frontline medical workers across the country through organizing donation drivers in several Canadian cities.
“We aren’t not working with health authorities. We aren’t part of the government. We have zero funding. We are simple people just trying to help,” said Scott, adding that many Canadian celebrities also joined them to support the initiative, such as Ryan Reynolds.
“Now the biggest challenge is the supply chain has been completely interrupted, so it’s difficult for anyone to get any PPE, and (medical workers) need it.”
PPCR staff will accept donations of N95 masks, level 2 gowns, gloves, surgical masks and even baby monitors. Then the rest of the team will ensure that this equipment could be delivered to the right people.
For people who don’t have PPE in hands but also would like to help, they are welcome to donate to ConquerCOVID19.ca.
