Back row, from left, are Kennady Johnson, Jessica Minns, Kim Gunther, John Gianoni, Elaine Biekert, Kathy Petroff, Rachel Freligh, Linda Johnson, Amy Crandall, Tim Sanderson, Cathi Wright, Marissa Irish, Ron Dunlap and Roxanne Helman. Front row, from left, are Kristin Hamilton, Connie Abbey-Mott, Nicole Ohlsson, Hannah Truitt, Kim Raynor, Diane Kelley and Karen Surkala, Westfield Memorial Hospital president.

WESTFIELD — As AHN-Westfield Memorial Hospital caregivers provide medical care for patients, the local community has supported their efforts with numerous donations of food and supplies.

Scattered throughout a number of front lawns in the AHN-Westfield Memorial Hospital service area are yard signs which read: “Thank You WMH and EMS” donated by Helen Baran, Westfield Memorial Hospital board chairwoman.

Many community members and businesses have rallied together to stand behind the ones who stand on the front lines as the county begins to make plans to cautiously reopen its economy. A large wooden ‘Thank You’ note has also been placed in front of the hospital.

The AHN-Westfield Memorial Hospital board of directors provided a staff lunch from Parkview Cafe. Parkview’s owners, David D’Amico and Ed Tkach, then donated a second lunch for the hospital staff the following week.

The next morning brought care packages with numerous breakfast bars donated by CVS and Frito Lay which also donated various kinds of chips, while Tops Friendly Markets brought additional donated snacks including chocolates and bottled water.

Marilyn Hemmer, Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary board member liaison to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, and her husband, county legislator John Hemmer paid for gifts of cookies and brownies prepared by owner Brandy Cochrane of Cakes by Brandy.

The Remington Family of Brocton and the Shelly Bowen Family of Westfield also gifted homemade treats for essential staff members.

Known for its favorite fundraiser of scrumptious homemade pies prepared every summer to benefit the hospital, members of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary sponsored a ‘Pie Day’ where associates enjoyed a slice or two of their favorite pie.

Pizza and wings donated by Dewittville Fire Department and $250 worth of snacks given by the Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Co. were enjoyed by hospital employees.

Tim Hortons donated bagels, donut holes and coffee, the hospital has been the subject of prayers from numerous local churches and houses of worship and the Westfield Ministerial Association, led by Pastor Vinny Sanzo, pitched in to provide multiple staff dinners.

Over the course of the last few weeks, Karen Surkala, AHN-Westfield Memorial Hospital president, donated numerous treats and tacos for ‘Taco Tuesday.’

Additionally, five pizzas, and lunch and dinner for those in the Emergency Department were prepared by the Parkview Cafe and were enjoyed by caregivers on behalf of two separate anonymous donors.

A monetary gift in honor and memory of past Masters of Masonic Summit, Lodge 219, was given by Mike Ricketts of Mayville, a former Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation board member. The donated money was to be used to purchase food for hospital associates. His gift, along with a donation from owner Joyce Lewallen of the Olde Corner Deli provided platters of deli meats, cheeses, rolls and condiments for staff members.

Carolyn Rawlinson, a former Westfield Memorial Hospital associate, donated money to be used for the purchase of long-sleeve turquoise-blue T-shirts with the words “WMH Heroes’ printed down the left sleeve.

When thanked for her thoughtful act of kindness, Rawlinson responded: “It’s my pleasure. WMH is my family.”

As the mother and grandmother of two recent nursing school grads, respectively, Janet E. Greene of Westfield set to work making 800 face masks and distributed them throughout the community. In return, recipients donated $1,000, which Greene contributed to the EMS and the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation and requested the money be used to thank hospital employees during Hospital Week.Greene attributes the quick actions of a WMH Emergency Department physician and local EMS for saving her young granddaughter’s life in 2012.

“With each donation, we are reminded of the extensive kindness in our community.” Surkala said. “Our staff members consistently feel supported by a large network of contributors, all because of our community’s generosity and thoughtfulness.”

Local businesses and community members have also extended their kindness by donating supplies and equipment, including the Westfield-Mayville Rotary, which secured a grant to fund the purchases of thermometer covers, hand sanitizer from Mazza 5 & 20 Sprits and face shields from Jamestown Plastics.

General Manager Steve Cockram of Growers Co-Op, along with proprietors Fred and Jennifer Johnson of Johnson Estate Winery, the hospital auxiliary, owner Kris Kane of 21 Brix Winery, and individual donors Martha and William Bills and Sue Poster donated money to purchase 175 $10 gift certificates for Westfield Memorial Hospital staff members to be used at eight local restaurants.

Adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that Americans wear masks, Gabe Hrysenko of Westfield Alterations & Repairs used her sewing skills to create more than 90 face coverings which she donated. Homemade face masks also were donated from numerous hospital staff members and their families with Betty Hamilton, mother of Kristin Hamilton, Westfield Memorial Hospital laboratory manager, donating more than 100 of her own homemade masks.

“We can’t thank all these donors enough for their generosity in support of AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, via the WMH Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital,” Surkala said. “We are comforted and humbled by the abundance of community support during a time of widespread need. We are grateful beyond words for everyone’s consistent support during this exceptional time.”

“The WMH Foundation is also very grateful to our valued donors who recognize the importance of our community hospital, now more than ever,” said Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, executive director of the WMH Foundation. “Nothing compares to this unprecedented pandemic seen during our lifetime, or the outpouring of generosity from so many. It also shows just how important those serving on the front lines mean to all of us at WMH and our extended community.”

To learn more about the hospital foundation or to donate to the AHN-WMH COVID-19 relief fund, email DiPalma at patricia.dipalma@ahn.org or visit www.westfieldhospitalfoundation.org.