Shore Congressman secures another round of PPE for first responders

In his latest effort to bring PPE to first responders on the front lines of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, Jersey Shore Congressman Chris Smith has once again delivered in the clutch by working again with Ansell to secure thousands of gloves and suits.

The efforts this round are apart an ongoing donation drive headed by the New Jersey State Troopers union and the Health Care Professionals and Allied Employees (who represent registered nurses and other health care workers).

“The troopers and nurses launched their donation drive to solicit donations of PPE, and Ansell’s contributions are a welcome addition,” Representative Smith said in a statement. “A big thanks to the troopers and HPAE for working together to run this donation drive and bring more protective equipment to those working on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak.”

The State Troopers Fraternal Association and the HPAE have been collecting gloves, gowns and other PPE used by first responders and health care professionals.

Smith said he heard from Wayne Blanchard, President of 1,500-member STFA, and Debbie White, RN, President of the 14,000-member HPAE after they heard about the Congressman's work with Ansell to secure 41.3-million medical grade gloves last month from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“We’d like to thank Congressman Smith for his initiative in cutting through the red tape to get supplies to first responders,” STFA President Blanchard said. “We’d like to thank our partners in the business community, particularly Ansell, for supporting our first responders during this unprecedented pandemic.”

"As COVID-19 continues to spread across New Jersey, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed in every hospital, nursing home and healthcare facility,” HPAE President White said. “We are grateful for Congressman Smith's efforts to bring these supplies to frontline caregivers. These supplies from Ansell will help to ensure that healthcare workers stay healthy and on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle."

“Ansell is truly honored to support the STFA and HPAE by donating medical exam gloves and protective suits to help protect these heroes as they protect our communities,” Renae Leary, Chief Commercial Office of the Americas of the Australian-based Ansell, said. “Seeing as our America’s headquarters is in Iselin, NJ, we are acutely aware of the continued need for PPE and are proud to be able to support our local community.”

You can donate items at STFA’s headquarters at 2634 Route 70 in Manasquan (Wall, Township) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For drop off arrangements or other questions, call (732) 528-6388 or email info@staf.org.

Monetary donations to purchase PPE for the drive are also accepted, Blanchard said.

Within the last week, Smith announced that he has been working to help obtain medical masks for New Jersey from the Taiwanese government.

A Hong Kong human rights organization also recently donated 4,000 surgical masks to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, as a thank you for Congressman Smith's support of Hong Kong "in its struggle to stay free and secure in the shadow of its huge and hostile neighbor, the People’s Republic of China."

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