A local veterans organization and a Detroit business have teamed up to help a Detroit medical facility better fight the COVID-19 virus by donating masks that can be used by visitors.
Chapter #9 of the Vietnam Veterans of America purchased 720 KN95 masks from Detroit Bikes for donation to the John Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the company matched that by donating another 720 masks. The masks will be delivered to the hospital, located at 4646 John R in Detroit, on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 2 p.m. NOTE: Members of the press corps are permitted to shoot video/photos outside at the Blue Entrance off Canfield.
“As veterans, we certainly want to support all who served and of course, we want to support those who are taking care of them,” explained Paul Palazzolo, president of VVA#9. “We’re grateful to partner with Detroit Bikes to ensure they have additional protective equipment to keep everyone safe.”
This is the third time during the COVID-19 crisis that VVA Chapter #9 has provided support to the medical center. Last month, the group donated 800 masks to the facility and also placed a sign out front to thank first responders.
“I’m honored to be working with the Vietnam Veterans to make this donation to the Dingell VA Hospital,” said Zak Pashak, owner of Detroit Bikes. “I believe that proper use of masks can save lives and I hope that this donation does just that.”
William Browning, chief of volunteer and community relations for the VA center, said such donations “allow us to continue the quality care and services that we need to provide to our deserving veterans.”
Michigan has more than 200,000 Vietnam-era veterans, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics and the U.S. Census, making it the largest veterans group in Michigan.
