Thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment were collected in April for The Woodlands Township’s Help Our Heroes donation drive, The Woodlands board of directors member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said at the board’s April 30 meeting.

The campaign was approved at the township’s April 2 board of directors meeting to support Montgomery County first responders and medical personnel who are treating coronavirus patients. Supplies were sent to the county’s emergency operations warehouse in Conroe for distribution.

Sekula-Gibbs said more than 13,500 pairs of gloves and 2,400 masks were donated during the month. On April 30 the project entered a second phase as she said it would transition to Help Our Residents to collect homemade and nonmedical masks for residents in need.

“We’ve been very gratified to see a large number of donors come by and drop off PPE, and it has been a valuable experience for me to see so many talented and charitable people come by,” Sekula-Gibbs said during the township board of directors April 9 videoconference.

As of April 23, the program expanded to help first responders and health care professionals with personal needs as well. The Adopt a Healthcare Worker arm of the program gathers items for individuals’ personal use as well as handwritten notes of encouragement.


Donate blood

Individuals wishing to donate blood this month may set up an appointment at The Woodlands Neighborhood Donor Center at 3091 College Park Drive, Ste. 130, The Woodlands. More information about local blood donation opportunities may be found at www.giveblood.org.

Reach out

The Woodlands Township is highlighting local creative expressions of support and positivity as residents create signs and public displays at their homes to encourage others during the crisis. Creations such as sidewalk chalk art and positive signs thanking first responders can be submitted to the township through social media using the hashtag #TownshipTogether or by emailing to [email protected].


Support local groups

Community Assistance Center

1022 Mccall Ave., Conroe

936-539-1096


www.cac-mctx.org

The center is seeking financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer support for its activities and is providing drive-thru grocery services through its food pantry.

Find a Helper

832-764-1467


www.findahelper.org

The Woodlands-area service connects seniors and medically at-risk residents with volunteer shoppers who deliver groceries, medicine and other needed supplies.

Interfaith of The Woodlands

4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands


281-367-1230

www.woodlandsinterfaith.org

Interfaith of The Woodlands has been preparing relief bags of food and toiletries for area families in need as well as delivering groceries for seniors.

Montgomery County Food Bank

1 Food For Life Way, Conroe

936-271-8800

www.mcfoodbank.org

The food bank has been running a virtual food drive to continue to provide meals for those in need across the county. Monetary donations can be made at the organization’s website.