BY HAILEY SMITH

The Wadsworth City School District is working hard to help the community during this pandemic. Supplies have been donated to many Summa hospitals with the help of high school principal Steve Moore and Wadsworth students and staff members. 

Nurses, doctors and any other front line workers have been risking their health to treat patients in need. In order for them to be as safe as possible while working, they need specific supplies to do so. If the PPE (personal protective equipment) is not used correctly, it could be a serious risk. The hospital staff is continuously working to provide the best care for patients along with keeping themselves safe. Many facilities have been short staffed, or short on supplies, so Wadsworth Schools have done their best to help out. 

Kyle Townsend, a senior in the Wadsworth engineering program has done a great deal with donating supplies. He has made 30 masks via the school’s 3D printer. Mrs. Baxley, along with Mr. Shipley helped with this project. They donated the masks to Summa Akron City Hospital to front line workers. A WHS graduate Joe Kallai (son of Jennifer Kallai) is working at Summa, collecting their donations. 

“3D printing the masks actually was pretty easy thanks to the great equipment our Engineering Design & Technology and Programming Design & Robotics classes have,” said Townsend. 

Another WHS student decided to help out with the help of the School’s 3D printer. Alberto Marting-Tabora has used his volunteer hours to help with this global pandemic. He donated ear-savers and headbands to take to Wooster Hospital.

 “The experience of making those Ear-Savers still warms me up today with the knowledge that I helped those in need. Doing what I did to complete my volunteer hours quickly became just a bonus,” said Marting-Tabora. 

Right when this pandemic started, two large loads of gloves, masks, goggles, Purell and disinfecting wipes were donated to Summa Corporate out of the courtesy of Wadsworth Schools. The donations were dispersed as needed to Medina, Wadsworth, Barberton and Akron Summa hospitals.

Thinking of different ways to find supplies, the classrooms were full of extras leftover from the school year to be donated. These were also donated to Summa Corporate to be dispersed. 

However, supplies have not been taken to just hospitals. They were also taken to the Wadsworth Police Department, the Wadsworth Fire Department, Wadsworth CHPA Pediatric office, Wadsworth Pediatrics, Liberty 1 and 2 nursing facilities, After Care nursing facility and the St. Edwards nursing facility. 

Many of these places that received donations were beyond thankful. 

“Some of the places accepting donations were in tears,” said Wadsworth School District nurse, Lynn Decker.

Wadsworth Schools have done a great job helping to supply places in need. This pandemic is a different time than most, and everyone is grateful. 

“I really can’t put into words how today felt for me,” said Decker. “Delivering all these supplies really helped our community. I am beyond grateful for everyone’s generosity and I am so proud to be a part of Wadsworth Schools. We are the best team. Thank you all again for everything.”