HOLMDEL – Mayor Greg Buontempo launched a mission to collect personal protective equipment for first responders and the Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center on March 24 as the coronavirus pandemic continued to spread through Monmouth County and New Jersey.
The mayor asked Holmdel residents for assistance and so far, the community has responded in waves of great generosity.
“Things have gone really well,” Buontempo said. “We have had a great turnout from the community. I’m really happy with the support in our town during this tough time.”
Items being collected include surgical masks, N95 masks, nitrile gloves, face shields, disinfectant wipes, hospital gowns, chemical protective coveralls, safety glasses, 3M brand P100 disc filters, temporal thermometers, ear thermometers and hand sanitizer.
Anyone who wishes to donate any of those items may contact the mayor through email at [email protected]
Buontempo said the donated items would be picked up without contact. Individuals may select who they would like to receive the items: police officers, first aid squad members and/or firefighters.
Financial donations are also welcome.
For example, Buontempo said the Holmdel Police Department received a $1,000 donation from a foundation in town. The police department was very grateful for the donation, he said.
Some supplies that are donated will be brought to Bayshore Medical Center in the township and distributed to doctors, nurses and maintenance personnel.
The mayor said surgical masks are a priority item being requested by hospital personnel.
“My team and I are doing our best to give the hospital what they need to keep our people protected and safe,” Buontempo said. “Our efforts can help them out a lot.”
With the PNC Bank Arts Center at Garden State Parkway Exit 116 having been designated as a COVID-19 testing site, the mayor said Holmdel has a lot to handle with a testing site and a hospital in town.
Buontempo said his team and Holmdel’s police officers have done a great job handling the situation.
“Our police department has done an amazing job working with the hospital and the governor’s team at the testing center,” he said. “There have been no distractions in town. I commend my team and all the first responders for working together during this time. I could not have asked for a better team.”
For the latest updates on COVID-19 in the area, residents may text the word Holmdel to 99411 to enroll in Code Red and to receive public safety alerts the mayor sends out each day.