HORNELL - Patients and staff at St. James Hospital will have access to more safety supplies during the
COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a $2,000 donation from Hornell Elks Lodge 364 to purchase Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE). The Hornell Elks recently applied for and received a Gratitude Grant, which
has been earmarked for purchasing PPE for St. James.
“We wanted to do something to help meet the immediate needs at the hospital,” said Cindie
Harrington, Hornell Elks Lodge Esteemed Loyal Knight and retired St. James employee. “During this
pandemic the need for PPE is more significant than ever. I worked in the St. James emergency
department for twenty-two years, and understand how important it is to keep patients and staff safe.”
St. James will use the donation to supplement its supply of protective masks, gloves and gowns. The
hospital recently implemented “universal” masking, wherein every person who comes through the door
must be masked.
“The community’s generosity during the pandemic has been astounding,” said Bryan O’Donovan, St.
James president and CEO. “We are so grateful to the Hornell Elks Lodge for directly supporting the
safety of our patients and staff.”
“We were pleasantly surprised at how quickly our grant application was approved,” said Cindie. “The
grants committee at the national office turned it around within a week, an indication of how the Elks
organization has responded to the pandemic and to communities in need.”
Founded in 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA is a fraternal organization
dedicated “…to promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and
Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; and to quicken the spirit of
American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship” in their local communities. Lodge 364 has been
serving Hornell since 1897.
