Mat-Su Regional feels the love as community produces protective gear for healthcare workers

PALMER – As the number of COVID-19 cases has steadily increased in Alaska, so have the number of people pitching in their services to help take care of friends, family and local frontline workers.

In the Mat-Su Valley, this community-wide support has impacted the 800-plus employees of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where many staff risk exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

The hospital has received donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) from a multitude of individuals and local businesses, according to Alan Craft, director of marketing and public relations for Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

“We have received a tremendous outpouring of community support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been heartwarming to see the sheer volume of individuals and businesses that have stepped forward to offer help,” Craft said. “These acts of kindness and generosity have been a great encouragement to our staff. We’re very grateful for our Mat-Su community.”

Palmer resident Jack Horner and his 16-year-old son Delano donated 50 3D printed face masks that they created using National Institutes of Health specifications.

Alaska Directional, Mat-Su McKinley Fencing, 3M Alaska and Richard Divelbiss from Thermo-Cool of Alaska are among the businesses that have donated much-needed N95 masks. Target in Wasilla also provided 5000 construction type masks to the hospital in early April.

Mat-Su Regional has also received support from seamstresses across the state. Facebook groups such as Alaska Mask Makers and Mat-Su Valley Makers have been bringing men and women together to create homemade masks, gowns and caps.

The Mat-Su Valley Makers group was started in March by Billie Haan and Danielle Borck. Haan herself is not a seamstress, so she has been coordinating pickups and deliveries of finished products, fabrics, sewing machines and other materials.

“So many people immediately stepped up and offered to help,” Haan said.

As of April 20, Mat-Su Valley Makers had 308 members who had collectively made 372 gowns, 477 caps, 706 masks, 50 headbands with buttons and 50 face shields.

Gowns are the most challenging piece of PPE to make, according to Hann. They require larger sheets of fabric, which are in short supply.

“We’re using sheets donated from the Pioneer Motel, from the Grandview Inn, from people out of their closets. And they’re all getting washed,” Haan said. “It is truly a community, Valley-wide effort and it takes a lot of work.”

Most of the homemade PPE is being given to Mat-Su Regional, according to Haan, but the Makers are also providing donations to other organizations around the Valley, including Mat-Su Midwifery, Capstone Clinic, Wasilla Area Seniors, and various assisted living homes. Alaska Division of Forestry has also asked for 1000 masks for those working during the upcoming fire season.

Other organizations and business have pitched in as well. Sylvia’s Quilt Depot in Wasilla has been providing information on mask making and Joann’s Fabrics in Wasilla is staying opening and providing ready-made mask kits and sewing supplies to the public.

Becky Nelson, owner of Lakeside Quilting, has also donated PPE to the hospital and has created an efficient assembly-line production system by recruiting the help of her husband. Nelson thinks staying active generates positive mental health benefits during this time of elevated stress.

“It’s a way of feeling like you’re a part of something,” she said. “It’s really cool how so many women and men are connecting together, doing the same things but being far apart.”

Haan also touched on this theme, stating that helping others is a way to contribute to the good of the community, even while you’re stuck at home.

“I’ve been told by people that they are so happy to have something to focus on and something that’s actually useful and needed by the medical community,” she said. “I have met some of the nicest people on the planet since all of this started. Not that I wanted this to happen, but seeing the best in people is really wonderful.”

The main sentiment of those working to donate PPE seems to be appreciation towards those on the frontlines trying to keep their community safe and healthy.

“I really appreciate all the health workers out there. They’re doing some things that are pretty scary and I know a lot of people aren’t able to even see their own family because they’re isolating themselves. It’s pretty selfless and I’m appreciative of them all so very much,” said Nelson.

Those wishing to donate PPE directly to Mat-Su Regional can contact Andrea Magers at a.magers@msrmc.com. Other information on PPE designs can be found on the Matanuska Susitna Borough website at www.matsugov.us/helpershub.

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. It is a 125-bed healthcare facility providing advanced surgical service, including robotic-assisted partial and total knee and total hip replacement, cardiac care, emergency services, sleep studies, inpatient behavioral health, advanced wound care, three urgent care centers, the Family Birthing Center and is home to the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge. Mat-Su Regional is accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology, and as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital by The Joint Commission. To learn more about Mat-Su Regional, visit www.MatSuRegional.com