Berrien County, Spectrum Health Lakeland, and the Berrien County Health Department sent us this important information today. Share with your friends and neighbors that might be able to help:
Organizations in Berrien County are putting the call out for residents to volunteer for or donate towards the COVID-19 response efforts.
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is looking for volunteers who are willing and able to help in a variety ways during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Volunteers may be needed to help with tasks such as food distribution, cleaning, laundry, and more. At this time, volunteers would be “on-call”, meaning that they will only be contacted if a specific need arises. Details regarding dates, locations, etc. are not available at this time but will be shared if and when the need arises. Volunteers who are willing to sign up to be “on call” to help can sign up through the United Way website.
Donations are also solicited from residents who can contribute supplies, materials, or funds to the organizations fighting the virus. Donations received through the UWSM will benefit organizations and facilities that serve vulnerable/at-risk populations who are unable to source supplies on their own, and are still serving people in-person with the possibility of close physical contact. Starting on Monday, April 13th, donations can be dropped off at the United Way of Southwest Michigan office at 2015 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph, Michigan on Mondays from 3:00PM-5:00PM and Fridays from 10:00AM-12:00PM.
The following items are especially needed:
- Clothing
- New, clean socks and underwear
- Scrubs, new or gently used
- New PPE/Medical Supplies
- N95/Surgical Masks
- Isolation masks
- Handmade masks
- Masks with face shield/visor
- Face shields
- Goggles/safety glasses
- Gloves
- Thermometers
- Disposable medical gowns
- Ponchos
- New Cleaning Supplies
- Bleach wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Food Items
- Shelf stable snacks
- Shelf stable microwaveable meals
- New Hygiene Items (Travel Size/Disposable)
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Feminine care products
- Shaving cream
- Razors
Those who are able to contribute financially to the cause can visit www.southwestmichigancares.org for more information. They can text SWMICARES to 41444 to donate from their mobile device or send checks to:
Berrien Community Foundation
Southwest Michigan Cares Fun
2900 S. State Street, Ste 2E
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Non-Profit organizations seeking to benefit from the supplies, materials, and funds donated can apply for what they need through the United Way of Southwest Michigan by emailing Amanda Drew at amanda.drew@uwsm.org.
Spectrum Health Lakeland is also still accepting donations that will be used by Lakeland-operated facilities at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A complete list of supplies needed can be found at www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/covid19donations.
