Rome Hospital Foundation delivered five cases of face shields to the Rome City School District Thursday, Oct. 29 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as students return to in-person learning.

The donation is one of several the Foundation has made to local school districts over the past few weeks. They are intended to be an added resource to support each district in the plans that they’ve developed to keep staff and students safe.

“Because of the generosity of companies early in the pandemic, the hospital had extra face shields to provide to school districts in our service area to help protect our community,” said Chester DiBari III, executive director of Rome Hospital Foundation. “As a healthcare system, we want to do everything we can to support our educators and keep everyone as safe as possible.”

“The District is grateful to the Rome Hospital Foundation for donating protective shields that will help keep our staff safe from COVID-19,” said Peter C. Blake, Superintendent of Schools.

In addition to the Rome City School District, the foundation has provided face shields to Camden Central School District, Adirondack Central School District and Oriskany Central School District.

Rome Hospital Foundation provides vital philanthropic support to Rome Memorial Hospital and is an integral partner in Rome Hospital’s mission to provide quality healthcare with compassion. Rome Hospital Foundation accepts gifts on behalf of Rome Memorial Hospital and works to fund both present and future equipment and program needs. For information on how you can help support the advancement of healthcare in our community, please contact the foundation at 315.338.7181.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Chester DiBari III, executive director of Rome Hospital Foundation, left, and Peter C. Blake superintendant of schools, Rome City School District, stand in front of boxes of face shields which the foundation donated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as students return to in-person instruction.