Disaster relief agencies open drop-off sites for medical, cleaning supplies donations in Maryland
Disaster relief agencies are partnering to open four locations around the state to accept donations of specialized medical equipment and some cleaning supplies to support coronavirus (COVID-19) response efforts.
Maryland Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and the Adventist Community Services (ACS) have partnered to coordinate the collection and dissemination of these vital supplies. These efforts are in support of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies who are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I would like to thank the voluntary organizations active in disaster for assisting Marylanders in this time of need,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “This network of donations centers allows the community to help those on the front lines of fighting this virus. We could not respond to the challenges of COVID-19 without a whole of community effort.”
Officials will ONLY accept the following items:
- Unused N95 masks with or without valve
- Protective goggles in original packaging
- Unused nitrile gloves in original packaging
- Unused hospital gowns in original packaging
- Tyvek coats and bodysuits
- Bleach, Lysol, cleaning supplies – must be unopened and unused
- Face shields
- Hand sanitizer
Handmade, prototype or unapproved personal protective equipment WILL NOT be accepted. Food and household donations also WILL NOT be accepted at these locations. Also, DO NOT bring cash to the locations. Residents are encouraged to send monetary donations to local nonprofits and churches for support during this challenging time.
The four donation drop off locations in Maryland are:
- Cambridge: 3105 Mallard Court., Cambridge, Md. 21613 Visible from Rt. 50. Drop off in the parking circle.
- Ellicott City: 3291 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City, Md.. 21042
- Hagerstown: Mt. Aetna Retreat Center, 10375 Retreat Way, Hagerstown, MD 21742 May also be listed on GPS as 21905 Mt. Aetna Road
- Silver Spring: 15930 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905 Corner of Route 198 and Good Hope Road. Entrance right off of Good Hope Road, lower parking lot
Locations will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
ACS volunteers will be wearing appropriate protective equipment (such as masks and gloves) when donations are received and will adhere to all social distancing guidelines. A specific identified place at each location is designated to receive donations. Items will then be inspected, inventoried, and distributed.
