CityView Magazine

34 | May 2020 34 | May 2020 CFVH workers grateful for community's generosity BY KIM HASTY O ver 3,000 donated masks. Over 5,000 donated meals. And those numbers are growing every day. In the midst of a pandemic, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center staff members have been overwhelmed by the generosity of a community that regards them as heroes. Cape Fear Valley Health and Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation regularly post thank-you messages on their social media pages. Rarely a day goes by that they don't have another business, nonprofit organization or everyday individual to add to the list. Local churches, schools, universities, restaurants and other businesses … the list goes on. "Over 200 donors to date," Marge Betley, major gis officer for Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, was saying recently. F E A T U R E By mid-March, health system officials were putting out a call for donations of personal protective equipment. When Gov. Roy Cooper announced an executive order that closed many businesses, owners who could no longer open their doors donated items they wouldn't be needing for a while: masks, gloves, hand sanitizer. And thankful they are to this community for trying to make sure they have what they need. "We've just been knocked out by that," Betley said. "It has really been from everyone according to their ability. Several of us heard from people all at the same time and it just exploded from there." Mary Kate Burke, artistic director at Cape Fear Regional eatre was one of the first to contact the foundation. "We've got fabric in the costume shop," she said. "We can make some masks for you." Costume shop workers donated 100 masks and also came up with a way to make straps for the masks instead of using elastic, which had been in short supply. Dr. Elizabeth Sawyer, a surgeon, commented on CFRT's Facebook page that some healthcare workers prefer the straps. "I appreciate the hard work and care that went into making these masks. Thank you for this awesome gift."

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