Alpharetta church members discovered they had a small stockpile of some of the most needed items at hospitals receiving patients with the coronavirus: N95 masks. Members of Alpharetta First United Methodist Church donated 270 N95 regular and surgical quality masks to Wellstar North Fulton Hospital on Sunday.
“They were overjoyed,” said church member Mike Derrick, who delivered the masks. “A number of the nurses came running out [to say thank you.]”
The masks were among supplies used by Derrick and members of the disaster response team ministry. Every month, about 15 members from the ministry travel to towns devastated by tornadoes or hurricanes to help with clean-up. To remove mold, tear out sheet rock and remove trees and torn roofs they need such things as masks, gloves and Tyvek suits- overall suits that provide protection from germs and debris.
“Sometimes when they go on these trips, they need that protection,” said Brad Green, a church pastor. “Mike and a few others thought rather than have the masks just sit there in the trailer, they could be useful somewhere else.”
The church members discovered they had 100 regular and 170 surgical masks in their supply trailer to donate.
In recent weeks, congregations in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church have donated 2,500 masks to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, said Sybil Davidson, a conference spokesperson.
“I think Alpharetta was the first church to respond,” said Davidson. “We really want the masks to get where they are most needed.”
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