While there is no shortage of bad news in the headlines these days, we’ve also read some inspiring stories about how the PHCP industry is helping out during this crisis.

For example, Mechanical Technologies & Solutions, LLC, a mechanical contractor based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, donated 640 masks to the Cone Health System last week.

“MTS has enjoyed working with Cone Health for many years. When we found out our friends were in need of N95 masks, it was a no brainer to donate 640 masks to their brave healthcare employees,” said MTS President Michael Carter. “I’d challenge other contractors to do the same.”

In Boston, members of the Building Trades Unions have been collecting new, unopened respirators and other vital personal protective equipment to aid the city’s frontline health care workforce. Thousands of respirators have already been collected by the Building Trades Unions and distributed to frontline health care workers, but thousands more are needed.

The Building Trade Unions are issuing a broad public appeal to any and all construction workers and companies who may have new, unopened respirators (N95) or other vital PPE equipment, to donate those resources to the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). They are calling on individuals and companies across the industry to donate their PPE to the cause of helping health workers win the fight against COVID-19. They are also phone banking construction industry stakeholders and reaching out through email and social media to identify stockpiles of PPE that can be donated.

On the other side of the country, Lifetime Heating and Air Conditioning, Snohomish, Washington, is partnering with Nordic Home Solutions, The Shed Gal, PureDry Restoration and PureClean to help elderly community members and others with compromised immune systems by offering free grocery delivery for seniors who are in the high-risk group and shave been advised not to leave their homes.

“During this unprecedented time, we need to come together as a community to help each other through the tough times we are all facing,” said Dwight Miller, co-owner of Lifetime Heating and Air Conditioning “This is the opportunity for us to band together, reach out, and support one another.”

In California, Discount Plumbing, located around the Bay Area, is using its fleet of 50 trucks to even deliver prescription medicine to not only its customers, but anyone who needs help.

“This is a crazy time for all of us!” said CEO Kevin Griffin .

While business is down 40 percent, Griffin said he is grateful to give back after being in business for 30 years.

Griffin first made the unusual announcement to his client list, then expanded it to anyone.

“If we have a unit in your area, we just assign them at the end of the day or in the middle of the day, depending on how busy we are,” Griffin explained.

Of course, these are just the stories we have heard about. But we’d like to hear more about how PHCPPros, including manufacturers, engineers, wholesalers and contractors, are helping out in these difficult times.

Please send what your business is doing to help out to PHC News Editor Steve Smith at steve@phcppros.com.