NORWICH - The Ford Motor Company donated 1,000 face shields to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital as part of their effort to help fight the coronavirus.

According to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital Director of Fundraising and Business Development Melissa Stagnaro, the donation was completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated by hospital staff.

We started at the beginning of March with 50 face shields in inventory,” said Stagnaro. “Pre-COVID-19 we only used them in certain areas of the hospital and as the virus concerns were raised they were all on backorder.”

She said several organizations have donated face shields in the past, but this donation alone would account for two weeks worth of face shields for hospital staff members.