As widespread shortages of medical supplies rapidly increase during the global coronavirus pandemic, Mending Kids, a non-profit organization, donated its own stock of supplies to the Dept. of Human Services stationed at Dockweiler State Beach RV Park. Dockweiler RV Park is one of many locations in Los Angeles County being temporarily used as a COVID-19 isolation and quarantine containment zone to shelter ill homeless individuals in need of a place to self-isolate.

Like many non-profit organizations and local businesses, Mending Kids, which provides surgical care to underserved children in the U.S. and internationally, has taken a proactive approach in response to the coronavirus outbreak. To minimize the spread and potential exposure of the virus to employees, patients and the public, and in accordance with California’s “Safer-At-Home” order, the organization has temporarily halted its overseas surgical missions. The Hometown Mission, one of Mending Kids core programs, will continue to help children in need of outpatient elective surgeries when it is safe to do so. 

Isabelle Fox, Mending Kids executive director, along with Dr. Ayal Willner, ENT surgeon and Mending Kids board member, collected supplies from the non-profit’s inventory that included acetaminophen, wound care, nasal cannulas, IV fluids, gloves, glucose analyzers and stethoscopes among other necessities. These donations will go toward supplementing much-needed medical resources that will be used for homeless patients quarantined at Dockweiler State Beach RV Park.

Mending Kids urges individuals or businesses with extra masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) to reach out to Hello@mendingkids.org so these resources can get to those in need.

“There is no point in hoarding or watching our medical products expire. We need to do our part as an organization to support our brave local medical community and clinics battling this pandemic on the frontlines,” said Fox.