PHOENIX — The City of Phoenix and Representative Ruben Gallego extend their personal protective equipment (PPE) drive at the Phoenix Convention Center through Friday.
Representative Gallego coordinated the effort with the City of Phoenix, Phoenix Fire and Phoenix Police in hopes of replenishing the low supply of PPE like masks, eye protection and more in Arizona.
"This is very necessary for our medical system. As well as our firefighters, as well as out police officers and EMT's who have to interact with people everyday,” said Gallego.
Any amount of supplies is welcome from just a couple of masks to many. As well, donations don't need to be recently purchased.
Francine Eastwood donated a box of unused medical supplies leftover from a condition several years ago. She says, "I know how hard it is and I know how last-minute this all is but the more people that can give and the more help we can provide for each other, the better we are as a society."
One man made the drive from the West Valley on his way to his East Valley business.
"My wife said she was watching the news and she told me about it," Johnny Martinez told ABC15. "And me and her always try to do what we can."
Martinez made a stop at the Phoenix Convention Center near 5th Street and Jefferson Street.
"I had needed some supplies for my shop," Martinez explained. "And so, I was like - 'You know, what.... while I'm there, maybe I could work out something and buy some extra gloves.'"
Martinez co-owns Visually Speaking Tattoo in Mesa and thought he could make a difference by the access he has to to medical supplies.
"A lot of times, being that I'm a tattoo artist and that ain't really like nothing major like a first responder... nothing like that," Martinez said. "Sometimes I feel insignificant, so whenever I do get a chance... you know, it ain't nothing, but try... try to help out a little bit."
Martinez is just one of the dozens of cars that has come by the donation drop-off area in the last few days.
But, bins that need to be filled with sanitizer, masks, bandages, and more could definitely use some more cars passing through.
"Any little thing helps and if everybody does it, well... then, it turns into a big help," Martinez said.
Below is a list of supplies needed.
Common Household Items:
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Bandages/Gauze/Wound Care Items
- Gloves
- CaviWipes/Sanitation Wipes
- Tents
- Cots
Health Care Worker Personal Protective Equipment:
- N95 Masks
- Procedural/Surgical Isolation Masks
- Standard Isolation Masks
- Goggles/Eye Protection/Face Shields
- PAPR Hoods
- Isolation Gowns
- Surgical Drapes/Gowns
Health Care Supplies:
- IV Fluids
- IV Pumps
- Anesthesia Circuits
- Testing Swabs
- Custom Procedure Trays
- Anesthesia Circuits
- Ventilators
- IVR Thermometers/Baby IVR Thermometers
- Test Media
The drive will be open every day at the Phoenix Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday March 27.
