Butler County school superintendents recently collaborated to provide equipment for Butler Memorial Hospital.

The group got the idea to donate personal protective equipment from Jeff Finch, superintendent of the Grove City School District, when he coordinated a collection for Grove City Hospital.

Seneca Valley School District Superintendent Tracy Vitale and Butler Area School District Superintendent Brian White agreed to coordinate the Butler County group’s collections of personal protective equipment from science and STEM labs, art rooms and nurses’ offices.

“We are better when we collaborate and work together,” Vitale said. “These donations could save a life — one of our employees, one of our students, one of our community members — or even one of our family members.”

Vitale, who sits on the Butler Health System board of trustees, and workers from other districts recently retrieved the equipment. Three BMH workers and Seneca Valley nurses, teachers and administration were present during the collection.

Among the items collected were 100 isolation gowns; 73 goggles; 296 safety glasses and visors; 171 N95 respirator masks; 712 latex-free face masks and 76,387 gloves. Schools were also able to provide antiseptic towelettes, disposable pillow cases, wipes, rubbing alcohol, lab coats, exam table covers, cotton-tipped applicators, hair nets and thermometer covers.

“This is a prime example of when we all work together in Butler County, we get things done,” Vitale said.

Those interested in donating to BHS can email covid19donations@butlerhealthsystem.org.