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Helping Is Second Nature

UH Elyria

In 1907, a terrible trolley accident shook the Lorain County community. With no medical facilities nearby, the event resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. Realizing the need for a community hospital, residents and businesses swiftly united for a common cause. Less than one year later, public and private support ensured the opening of the 36-bed hospital that, today, has grown into UH Elyria Medical Center.

Much has changed in Elyria since the trolley car incident. Fortunately, the unyielding tradition of community unity during challenging times remains firmly intact.

Recently, the COVID-19 health crisis created a similarly urgent need for community support. As quickly as the pandemic struck, the people and companies of Elyria and surrounding cities responded, contributing thoughtful solutions, resources and old-fashioned hard work to help their hometown hospital weather the storm.

“The community stepped up immediately,” reflected Dave Willets, Supply Chain Director for both UH Elyria and UH St. John medical centers. “We have been very fortunate to receive charitable gifts as well as donations of personal protective equipment, supplies, food and greeting cards from vendors, manufacturers and residents across our community. Together, they are helping us provide the highest level of care to our patients and ensure our caregivers have the resources to carry out our mission. We are grateful for the steady outpouring of support.”

Among the many donations, thousands of meals have helped sustain UH’s frontline caregivers, including donations*, from these local restaurants and friends:

  • Brian Jones BBQ
  • Chipotle
  • Christ Church West
  • Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Wild Wings
  • DBSR Wealth Management Group and Cowhaus Creamery
  • Germans Villa
  • Little Caesars Pizza
  • Midway Oh Boy
  • Old Towne Pizza
  • Swenson’s Hamburgers
  • Mike’s Taco food truck

UH Elyria is also grateful to the following local companies for donations* gifts of time and resources in response to the pandemic:

  • AJ Moore
  • AJ Rose Manufacturing
  • Ann Schloss and Elyria City Schools
  • EMC Precision
  • Fisher Scientific
  • Fligner’s
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Green Circle Growers
  • Harbor Freight-Sheffield
  • Home Depot
  • Lorain County Community College
  • LorMet Community Federal Credit Union
  • Lowe’s
  • McKinley Elementary School
  • Modern Poured Walls Construction Services, Inc.
  • Oberlin College
  • PolyOne
  • Providence Church, Avon
  • Ridge Tool
  • Rural King
  • Sunnyside Chevrolet
  • Thogus Products Company

*Reflects gifts and donations received through May 15, 2020.

“UH Elyria is proud to serve this community, as we have for more than 100 years,” said Kristi Sink, President, UH Elyria Medical Center. “We look forward to continuing to work with community leaders and businesses to serve for centuries to come.”

Support UH Elyria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic here. Your gift will double in impact thanks to a generous $500,000 challenge grant from Elyria Medical Center Foundation.