Local Business Owner Engineers Mask Donation To Franciscan Health

On a recent visit to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Yolanda Travis-Mack learned that the hospital could use more masks.

That’s when Travis-Mack, a McDonald’s owner-operator and her business partner Rochelle Tandy, worked hand-in-hand to help Franciscan Health acquire the masks for the community.

Within less than 10 days, David Tandy, assistant manager of the Home Depot in Matteson and Rochelle’s husband, delivered close to 17,000 masks to the hospital. The donation was made possible through Home Depot’s grant program, Operation Surprise.

“Home Depot is definitely more than a retail outlet,” David Tandy said. “We try to make sure we support the communities we’re in.”

Prior to the Home Depot mask delivery, Travis-Mack and Rochelle Tandy donated masks to the hospital from their three McDonald’s locations.

“Part of McDonald’s culture is giving back to the community,” Travis-Mack said. “Our restaurants are in Chicago, but our outreach extends to wherever it is needed.”

All of the donated masks have been added to the personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory in the hospital’s Central Supply, to be used in any areas where they are needed. The Franciscan Health Emergency Department provides masks to all patients who arrive to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The donation was a tremendous display of generosity of something that would be utilized very quickly,” said David Trotter, MD, medical director of the hospital’s Emergency Department. “These donations were a considerable morale booster for all of us as we continue to dig deep and find the courage to move forward during this pandemic.”

“I know everybody occasionally needs help and that was the least I can do,” Travis-Mack said.

The Franciscan Health Foundation is grateful for all of the support it has received from local residents and businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it has established the Franciscan Preparedness and Response Fund to raise funds for supplies and equipment, such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, ultraviolet cleaning robots, as well as PPE.

“The Franciscan Preparedness and Response Fund was created to support our response to this public health crisis,” said Laurie Crosby, Franciscan Health Foundation executive director. “Your gift will have a great impact on the safety of our patients, staff and the community as a whole.”

To learn more about the Franciscan Preparedness and Response Fund, visit www.FranciscanHealthFoundation.org/COVID-19

Photo Caption:

Approximately 17,000 donated face masks are delivered to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. Front row (l-r) Laurie Crosby, Foundation executive director; Yolanda Travis-Mack, McDonald’s owner-operator; Caley Shroeder, ICU manager; David Tandy, Home Depot assistant manager. Back row (l-r) Sister M. Ruth Luthman, Mission Integration vice president; Dr. Vernell Johnson, Medical Affairs vice president; Dr. Sheree Boyd, Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC, director of operations; Bonnie Mobley, Emergency Department manager; Megan Josefowicz, Emergency Department physician assistant; Dr. David Trotter, Emergency Department medical director.