Star power brings out PPE donations for frontline workers
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Hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser drafted her own team of all-stars on Saturday to help run a collection drive for masks and other personal protective equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19.
The Olympic gold medalist partnered with actor Ryan Reynolds and teams of volunteers to collect PPE items at various locations of XYZ Storage.
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Even Premier Doug Ford stopped by the Eastern Ave. storage facility to drop off a load of donated supplies piled into his own pickup truck. Ford was joined by Todd Bourgon, the executive director of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association, in delivering 32,000 level 2 surgical masks paid for by Ontario’s new car dealers.
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Ford thanked Wickenheiser for spearheading the effort while she thanked the Premier for his leadership of the province during the pandemic. Then they connected with Reynolds at his home in the United States via video call.
“Thank you so much for everything you are doing Ryan, you’re a true champion, a true leader. We are so, so grateful,” Ford said to the movie star.
“I appreciate everything you are doing as well,” Reynolds said to Ford. “This Conquer COVID-19 team is nothing short of miraculous.”
“I could not be more proud of this country and its community rallying around this cause in such a huge way,” Reynolds said. “Every time I talk about this I get a little choked up but I just have never been so proud of this community and this country rallying together in this way.”
Reynolds promised to take the entire Conquer COVID-19 team out for dinner as soon as the pandemic is over and he is able to travel back to Canada. The actor has assisted several charitable efforts across Canada since COVID-19 started, including donations to food banks and funds for laid off bartenders through his Aviation Gin company.
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The Conquer COVID-19 drive started after Wickenheiser put out a plea for help on Twitter offering to personally pick up any donations of PPE. Reynolds then amplified that message and offered to send autographs, Deadpool bobbleheads and other movie memorabilia to people who donate to Wickenheiser.
The drive, which is ongoing, is looking for donations of gloves, masks, face shields, two-way baby monitors, iPads/tablets, or other medical equipment and they are now taking donations of cash through the charity International Development and Relief Foundation.
So far the group has received a $1 million donation from the family of Shopify founder Tobi Lütke. Waster management firm GFL also donated enough money to purchase 50,000 masks through a broker. And Canadian Tire donated six skids of PPE supplies to the drive on Saturday.
The drive will continue each Saturday, while needed, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at XYZ Storage facilities in the GTA.
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