Two local retirement homes are receiving a large supply of PPE masks for staff and residents, thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Taiwan coordinated through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago and the office of State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove).
“I would like to thank our friends from TECO for this generous and much-needed donation,” said Senator Curran. “This PPE donation has the opportunity to immediately help save lives as these facilities house a number of people who face elevated risks from COVID-19.”
Senator Curran joined with officials from TECO on Friday, September 5th, to help deliver masks to Oak Trace Retirement Home in Downers Grove.
“My office is delighted to team up with “Friends of Taiwan Foundation” and state Senator John Curran in donating the 5,000 masks to many Illinois nursing homes in need to help combat COVID-19,” said Director-General Eric Huang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago. “During this time of challenges, we encourage Taiwanese Americans to give back to their communities in various ways like this. My government has also donated 100,000 surgical masks and 10,000 N95 respirators to the State Government of Illinois and the city of Chicago. We are helping as we cherish the friendship between Illinois and Taiwan. Please support Taiwan to meaningfully participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) as we would like to contribute more.”
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago represents the Government of Taiwan in the Midwest, promoting economic and cultural relations.
In total, 5,000 masks were donated by the organization, with 2,500 given to Oak Trace Retirement Community in Downers Grove, and another 2,500 going to Franciscan Village in Lemont.
“Our gratitude goes out to Senator Curran and his team, as well as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, for this generous donation,” said Blaire Goldstein, Executive Director of the Oak Trace retirement community in Downers Grove. “Challenging times like these call for us to be there for one another, and this gesture is emblematic of that. Thanks to this gift, we can keep ensuring the health and safety of our residents and team members, which is always a top priority at our community.”
