Carl M. Freeman Foundation Donates $250,000 to Beebe Healthcare’s COVID-19 Relief Fund
Recognizing the crisis surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19), the Carl M. Freeman Foundation is donating $250,000 to be used for COVID-19 testing, including personal protective equipment, and the well-being of frontline healthcare professionals.
The Carl M. Freeman Foundation normally supports and promotes innovative community-based leadership and giving, but felt compelled to step outside of their normal giving window for this donation. The Foundation’s leaders felt it is important to help keep their employees, this community, and healthcare providers safe.
“We all have to do our part individually with physical distancing, and the Foundation wants to ensure that funding is available for testing of COVID-19 and PPE. Nothing could be more important today than to support your local healthcare system,” said Michelle Freeman, President and Chair of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. “We care about the health of our employees, vendor partners and everyone in our community. Our employees live and work in Sussex County and we need healthy employees with access to prompt medical care during this time. We won’t be able to continue that without supporting Beebe’s ability to test for COVID-19. We want doctors and nurses working on the frontlines to be safe as well and our grant will support PPE for them.”
Beebe launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help purchase medical equipment, supplies, and costs directly associated with patient care enabling our team members to continue to do what it takes to keep everyone safe.
“The Beebe Medical Foundation is very grateful to the Carl M. Freeman Foundation for their transformational gift at this time of need,” said Tom Protack, President, Beebe Medical Foundation. “Michelle Freeman has always been a strong and loyal supporter of our community, and we are thankful for this special gift that will go directly toward helping us with our increased expenses for supplies and equipment for this pandemic. No doubt, her legacy of philanthropy will be inspiring to others to support Beebe Healthcare.”
Members of the community looking to donate a monetary amount can visit Beebe's Covid-19 Resource Center. More information can be found online for those looking to donate supplies.
“This generous gift from the Carl M. Freeman Foundation will help equip team Beebe with the needed equipment to combat this pandemic and save lives in Sussex County,” said Dr. David Tam, President and CEO of Beebe Healthcare. “Beebe is working to ensure the optimal process for screening and testing as many Sussex County resident as possible for COVID-19. This way, we can develop the best methods for illness prevention as well as plans for the expected surge of critically ill patients.”
Information for those who wish to donate items:
Beebe is asking for:
- Unused face and surgical masks, especially N95 masks
- Eye protectors: safety goggles, safety glasses, clear face shields
- Surgical and medical gloves
- Medical garb, suits, scrubs, and isolation gowns
- Cleaning and sanitizer solutions (such as alcohol wipes/pads, bleach wipes, sanitizing wipes)
- Hand sanitizer, including hand sanitizer bottles/pumps/spray bottles
- Brown paper bags and lunch bags
- Alternative respirators that OSHA has given permission to use in healthcare settings during this historic pandemic.
Items can be dropped off to Beebe’s Population Health Department (1307 Savannah Road, Lewes). Bins are located on the covered front porch from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Donations will be collected frequently throughout the day and stored properly by Population Health team members working in the office. Staff is available for assistance, please call us at 302-645-3337. Donations left overnight will not be accepted. Please leave your name with the masks you donate so we can acknowledge your generosity.
Additionally, in order to provide needed medical supplies to the healthcare systems in Delaware, eBrightHealth ACO is hosting donation drop-off locations throughout the state. The Sussex County event for Beebe Healthcare will be held Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the vacant storefront on the east side (toward Old Orchard Road) of Weis Markets at Five Points. The address is 17232 N. Village Main Blvd., Lewes.
Beebe understands there is a great demand for many of the items listed above. We will be ensuring that all donated items meet the proper safety standards to ensure the safety of our team members and patients. For more specifics on donation of items, please contact Beebe Population Health at 302-645-3337.
If you are interested in donating food, please visit our website and follow the instructions.