Troopers and Nurses Get PPE donation thanks to Smith

State Troopers Fraternal Association 1st Vice President Steve Kuhn, on left, and STFA President Wayne Blanchard, on right, receive PPE donated by the Ansell office in Iselin, NJ at the STFA office in Wall Township on Tues., April 14, 2020.

The New Jersey State Troopers union and the Health Care Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE; representing registered nurses and other health care workers) received thousands of donated gloves and suits at their PPE donation site in Manasquan this week, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Chris Smith.

The PPEs were donated by Ansell, an international healthcare products company with a headquarters in Iselin, NJ. Smith facilitated the release of Ansell’s 41.3 million medical grade gloves from Customs and Border Protection last month.

After seeing news reports of the Smith’s success with CBP, Wayne Blanchard, President of 1,500-member STFA, and Debbie White, RN, President of the 14,000-member HPAE reached out to Smith for help with their critical shortage of gloves, gowns and masks.

“The troopers and nurses launched their donation drive to solicit donations of PPE, and Ansell’s contributions are a welcome addition,” said Smith. “A big thanks to the troopers and HPAE for working together to run this donation drive and bring more protective equipment to those working on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak.”

“We’d like to thank Congressman Smith for his initiative in cutting through the red tape to get supplies to first responders,” said STFA President Blanchard. “We’d like to thank our partners in the business community, particularly Ansell, for supporting our first responders during this unprecedented pandemic.”

“As COVID-19 continues to spread across New Jersey, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed in every hospital, nursing home and healthcare facility,” said HPAE President White. “We are grateful for Congressman Smith’s efforts to bring these supplies to frontline caregivers. These supplies from Ansell will help to ensure that healthcare workers stay healthy and on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle.”

“Ansell is truly honored to support the STFA and HPAE by donating medical exam gloves and protective suits to help protect these heroes as they protect our communities,” said Renae Leary, Chief Commercial Office of the Americas of the Australian-based Ansell. “Seeing as our America’s headquarters is in Iselin, NJ, we are acutely aware of the continued need for PPE and are proud to be able to support our local community.”

STFA and HPAE are accepting donations of PPE at STFA’s headquarters at 2634 Route 70 in Manasquan, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For drop off arrangements or other questions, donators may call (732) 528-6388 or email [email protected]. Monetary donations to purchase PPE for the drive are also accepted.

The following items are needed by our first responders and healthcare professionals: • N95 MASKS • LATEX GLOVES • GOWNS • FACE SHIELDS • ANTI BACTERIAL WIPES • HAND SANITIZERS