NEWMARKET, ON – May 15, 2020 – Over the past 50 years, Police Week (May 10 to 16) has traditionally been held to celebrate policing. But during the ongoing pandemic, the 2,400 civilian and uniformed members of York Regional Police Association (YRPA) felt it was appropriate to use the week to thank York Region’s frontline health care workers who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe. This week, the Association provided $60,000 of funding to the hospital foundations of Markham Stouffville Hospital, Mackenzie Health, and Southlake Regional Health Centre to cover 4,500 meals for hospital employees and York Region Paramedics. Any money left over from the donations will go back to each hospital to help purchase equipment, technology and support patient care needs.
“Right now, our health care workers are our true heroes. Each day, they are on the frontlines putting themselves in the path of danger, so we salute them for what they are doing,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “Our doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, transporters, paramedics, pharmacists, custodial staff, security and everyone else who helps support patient care deserve our deepest gratitude for their service in caring for our communities and in the fight against COVID-19.”
Mackenzie Health employees at the Richmond Hill hospital ate for free at the hospital’s cafeteria on May 11. On May 14, Markham Stouffville Hospital’s staff received two mass food deliveries from local restaurants that are generous supporters of the hospital. The first delivery of daytime meals from Fishbone Restaurant in Stouffville, and the evening shift meals from Smash Kitchen and Bar in Unionville. Today, staff at Southlake Regional Health Centre will eat for free at any one of the hospital’s four food service vendors, that include: Druxy’s Deli, Subway Sandwiches, Tim Hortons and the hospital’s cafeteria.
“Mackenzie Health is incredibly grateful for York Regional Police Association’s support during this challenging time and everything they do for our community. It is especially inspiring to see one group of front-line workers taking care of another in such a meaningful way,” said Mackenzie Health President and CEO, Altaf Stationwala. “Understanding the need to keep our staff and patients safe, YRPA turned to our in-house food vendor to provide our health care workers with snacks and a meal in our Central Bistro for a day, helping to show their appreciation for our staff and all their efforts, and we couldn’t be more thankful!”
“Markham Stouffville Hospital is so grateful to the York Regional Police Association for its support. What a meaningful way to celebrate this year’s Police Week with a contribution in honour of the health care heroes. This generous donation will help Markham Stouffville Hospital in its fight against COVID-19 and ensures our community can continue to rely on Markham Stouffville Hospital during this challenging time. Thank you so much to the York Regional Police Association. We are stronger together,” said Suzette Strong, CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
“We are so grateful to York Regional Police Association, and all of our amazing communities, for the support they have given to Southlake during this time,” said Arden Krystal, President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre. “It all helps to make the lives of our staff a bit easier right now and enables us to continue to be by your side. It truly takes a village.”
Over the course of the week, members of York Regional Police Association have received many messages of gratitude from hospital staff through the Association’s social media accounts. “The outpouring of thank you messages to members of our Association has been incredible but is also a reminder of the important bond that one frontline worker has to another,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “Thank you for keeping us healthy and safe, the YRPA and the community has your back!”
Link to photos and videos from the hospital donations: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNdtT8Q
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Media Contact: Erika Mieto, Senior Communications Advisor, York Regional Police Association, 905-751-5885, emieto@yrpa.ca
About YPRA: As one of Canada’s leading police associations, York Regional Police Association (YRPA) represents over 2,400 uniformed officers and civilian members of York Regional Police. Established in 1971, the association is dedicated to serving the women and men who protect the York Region community. In the last five years, the association has donated over $218,000 to various charities and organizations.