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Sentara has launched a new website to virtually connect and organize the uplifting messages that community members have been sending daily to Sentara Healthcare’s dedicated staff.

Sentara launched SentaraHeroes.com on Wednesday, according to a Thursday press release. Anyone can add a message of support, encouragement or appreciation for Sentara staff by either using the hashtag #SentaraHeroes in their personal Facebook or Instagram posts, or by posting a message directly on the website.

After a post is tagged or submitted, SentaraHeroes.com will pull it into a curated gallery for both Sentara employees and the public to see anytime.

“SentaraHeroes.com highlights the amazing, brave work our health care heroes do and speaks to the way both Sentara and the communities value their contributions. It is also a testament to the continuous and overwhelming generosity and support we receive from our communities,” the press release states.

People can also support these Sentara heroes through material supply donations. According to the press release, Sentara Healthcare is equipping all employees with masks at work, regardless of their role in the organization, as universal staff masking provides better protection for both patients and team members during the coronavirus pandemic.

“While we are taking every measure to conserve and appropriately allocate personal protective equipment, we are also accepting additional supplies and appreciate donations of all types,” the press release states.

Sentara Healthcare is currently accepting material supply donations, especially the following PPE items:

• Masks (N95 or disposable face masks)
• Nitrile gloves
• Impervious gowns (level one to level four)
• Disposable shoe covers
• Fog-free face shields
• Goggles

Sentara is also accepting individually wrapped food donations from a licensed vendor or restaurant. Homemade food or communal food items such as platters will not be accepted.

Visit mealtrain.com/w13og0 for more information on signing up to provide meals, and call Sentara Obici Incident Command at 934-4532 to find out more about PPE donations and thank you cards.