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Steubenville-area schools donate to COVID-19 fight

By ANDREW GRIMM 5 min read

STEUBENVILLE -- As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, the local battle against the virus got a boost from donations of equipment.

Among those to donate to the efforts in Jefferson County are local schools and educators.

The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency received donations of personal protective equipment from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College, the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and Catholic Central High School, according to director John Parker.

The university donated 10,000 nitrile examination gloves ranging in size from small to large to the EMA on March 31, which were distributed to local 9-1-1 providers, according to the school's public relations manager, Tom Sofio.

Information provided by Sofio said each case of gloves were given a sticker that read, "With love and prayers, from Franciscan University."

"With school canceled and no students to use them, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to share these gloves with health care providers. We can restock in the future," said chemistry professor Jeffrey Rohde in the release.

The gloves were blessed by the Rev. Nathan Malavolti, TOR, also a chemistry professor at FUS, before being sent off.

Eastern Gateway said in a release the school donated 400 masks and 800 pairs of gloves from its dental department to the EMA.

"Being responsive to the needs of the community is what a community college is all about," said Interim President Michael Geoghegan. "We also know we are helping to protect many of our graduates who have gone through our nursing, respiratory therapy and public service programs.

"We hope they know that we stand with them through this donation."

Jefferson County JVS health technologies instructor Tammy Sismondo said the program donated personal protective equipment including isolation gowns, masks, gloves, goggles and protective face shields to the EMA, which she said were distributed to Trinity Health System, EMS services and nursing homes in the county.

"At the JVS, we do a lot of community outreach," Sismondo said. "My students prior to COVID-19 would volunteer weekly at Trinity Health System and I have students that are still working at area nursing homes. We have a lot of community involvement. This was another way I felt we could help the community and give back."

"Trinity usually donates stuff to help us, and it's the first time we've donated equipment and supplies to the EMS and hospital," Sismondo said in a release from the school. "We felt it would be better served if used in the community at a time like this. We hope it eases the burden and helps keep the EMS and hospital workers safe."

Catholic Central High School donated around 400 N95 masks and 11 boxes of gloves to the EMA, according to Principal Tom Costello. He said each box contained around 100 pairs of gloves.

"Watching the daily conferences from the governor and getting e-mails from the state regarding PPE, we started to think about if there was anything we had as a school that could be helpful," Costello said. "Within the last year, we secured some supplies for safety for our students and faculty and were putting them into a safety bucket for each classroom.

"We had around 400 N95 masks still in the boxes and ready to be distributed. Even though (400) might be a small drop in the bucket, it was still 400 and every one is like gold, as they say."

Costello said he was put in touch with county 9-1-1 director Rob Herrington by county medial director Dr. Mark Kissinger.

"Helping out was something that was on our heart and mind," Costello said.

"We're hoping it helps the emergency responders. We want to help the community come together."

Steubenville Catholic School's contributions did not end there, either, as Bishop John King Mussio Junior High and Elementary schools also donated items including hand sanitizier and disinfectant wipes to local agencies.

According to Theresa Danaher, principal of the elementary and junior high schools, among the agencies to receive items from the schools were the Steubenville fire and police departments and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, along with local pharmacies and a nursing home. Some items were also donated back to parents.

"One of my preschool teachers saw something on Facebook about donating school sanitary supplies to first responders," Danaher said. "When students come in the beginning of the year, they bring so many paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizers and wipes for the classroom. We still had a good supply, particularly at the elementary building. So, we cleaned out all of the classrooms and donated.

"We had a really good response. It felt really good to be able to provide for our first responders and those who are still going to work and protecting us and providing for us. What we had we're not needing right now so it was great to be able to find people who did need it."

Those actions have not gone unnoticed by county officials.

"It's amazing the number of entities, private individuals as well as corporations, people and persons who have donated," county Commissioner Thomas Graham said during a recent meeting. "The list is amazing who have donated equipment to the EMA."

Parker echoed those sentiments.

"So many people in Jefferson County continue to donate medical supplies and offer help," he said, noting several local business and associations have also donated.

"This county is amazing," Parker said. "Our county is rallying and everyone is working together."

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