Acts of Kindness: Angels wear gowns
Jeff and Robyn Staebler set to work stitching. Two gowns later, they discovered the 4-mil plastic they had on hand provided a better choice of material.
by Patrice Johnson
Early in March as the Coronavirus was wreaking havoc, Gregory residents Jeff and Robyn Staebler recognized the impending need for personal protective equipment, PPE. A lot of people were making masks, but what about isolation gowns?
Jeff found a hospital gown worn at Halloween years ago and designed a template. The couple initially thought house wrap, Tyvek, would make suitable material, so mid-March, they contacted Chelsea Lumber Company and explained the plan. Without hesitation, the folks there donated two rolls of Tyvek and heavy-duty duct tape.
The Staeblers set to work stitching. Two gowns later, they discovered the 4-mil plastic they had on hand provided a better choice of material. They created a dozen isolation gowns and delivered them to St. Joseph Hospital Chelsea. Hospital leadership gave their elated approval on April 1.
“Unfortunately, at that time,” Robyn recalls, “Chelsea Lumber Company was closed due to the virus, so we went to Lowe’s of Ann Arbor.”
Hospital worker models a Staebler gown.
Without hesitation, Lowe’s donated the first 20 rolls of plastic and 20 rolls of duct tape.“Our production began!” Robyn stated.
Then, Jeff was deployed to the U of M Hospital to assist with operations. Robyn needed help.
“I posted the idea on Facebook to recruit volunteers, and Helping Hands Volunteer Group was born.”
Shortly thereafter, the newly formed group connected with Stacey Grant of Protect Frontline Heroes: PPE Supplies Metro Detroit. Helping Hands transformed to Angels Wear Gowns.
“After combining efforts, our volunteer group grew from 40-plus in the Washtenaw area,” Robyn said, “to 60-plus in the SE Michigan region and continues to grow daily.”
At this writing, Chelsea Lumber Co. has graciously continued to provide material necessary to produce templates to all volunteers as well as the material to continue gown production. And the company is going a step further.
“John Daniels,” Robyn added in reference to the owner of Chelsea Lumber, “humbly gave his blessings to distribute the gowns to any hospital in the region in need of them.”
In addition to Chelsea Lumber’s support, the Chelsea Depot Association has provided the Depot where specific dates and times are set for immediate collection and distribution of gowns to needy hospitals by other volunteers. Other corporate donors include Lowe’s of Ann Arbor, Jackson, Allen Park, Howell, Ypsilanti, Farm Plastic Supply, and Sherwin-Williams of Ann Arbor and Jackson.
Metro area volunteers are now facilitating their own drop-off and pick-up locations.
“In our first ten days, our amazing volunteers will have now donated over 1,000 gowns,” Robyn said.
The list of recipient facilities runs long: St. Joseph Chelsea, Silver Maples Retirement Neighborhood, Chelsea Retirement Community, Hurley Medical Center Flint, St. John’s Detroit, Henry Ford Health Systems of Jackson, Dearborn and Fairlane, St. John’s Detroit, Detroit Medical Center Sinai Grace, Detroit Receiving, Detroit Harper University, Beaumont Health Foundation Southfield and Lenawee Medical Care Facility, Detroit Fire Dept., Woodland Hills Rehab., and McLaren Macomb.
“We’re just getting started.” Robyn smiled.
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/685469205522681/
