Cross-border salute honors healthcare workers and first responders

ELMIRA, ONTARIO (May 15, 2020) – Elmira Stove Works, the leading manufacturer of vintage-styled kitchen appliances, has announced the “Goodwill Ambassador” program in honor of frontline healthcare workers and first responders battling the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of their sacrifices, Elmira is donating Northstar retro fridges and cash for personal protective equipment to hospitals in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.

For many generations, Canada and the United States have shared the longest undefended border and closest social and economic ties between any two countries in the world. The two nations have gone to war together, and are each other’s largest trading partners and frequent travel destinations. In addition, many Canadians and Americans have family in both countries. Moreover, the majority of the components used in Elmira’s appliances are supplied by the United States while most of the company’s finished products ultimately are shipped to the USA.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Canadian healthcare workers are crossing the border to work in American hospitals. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in Windsor, Ontario, where more than 1,600 nurses have been making the daily trip through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, or across the Ambassador Bridge, to go to work on the frontlines in Detroit.

In a salute to this longstanding international bond, and to healthcare workers and first responders across North America, Elmira Stove Works will donate one of its Northstar retro fridges plus an equivalent in cash to each of two hospitals – DMC (Detroit Medical Center) Harper University Hospital in Detroit and Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor.

“The fridges will go into nurses’ lounges in the hospitals and will hopefully bring some small joy and relief to these tireless heroes as they perform their shifts among some of the most daunting conditions imaginable,” said Tony Dowling, Elmira’s Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. “The cash donations are being earmarked to purchase much-needed personal protective equipment that will help protect healthcare workers and, ultimately, those in their families and community.”

DMC Harper University Hospital is an inner-city hospital located in one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19 in the United States. Hotel-Dieu, across the Ambassador Bridge in Canada, was Windsor’s first hospital.

“The Detroit Medical Center is proud to have so many talented Canadian healthcare professionals as part of our team,” said Jason Benn, Marketing Manager, Detroit Medical Center. “Across the DMC, our staff has shown strength and courage in the face of extremely challenging circumstances. We draw inspiration and resolve from the enormous outpouring of support we’ve received, and are grateful for Elmira Stove Works’ heartfelt concern for hospitals, healthcare workers and first responders.” 

Added Bill Marra, Vice President External Affairs, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, “The corporate community has demonstrated unwavering kindness and generosity during this unprecedented global pandemic. We at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare are very thankful for the entire team at Elmira Stove Works for their unsolicited and generous donation and thoughtfulness.”

In addition to the hospital donations, Elmira Stove Works is extending a discount on all Northstar, Antique and Fireview appliances to healthcare workers and first responders across North America through the end of June.

Elmira Stove Works is an ongoing supporter of many community initiatives in the Elmira area, including the Kiwanis Club of Elmira, Woolwich Memorial Centre and the Grand River Hospital.