Farhi, WFCU donating hotel rooms to local frontline health-care workers

(From Windsor Star) by Dave Battagello

 

With nurses and other hospital staff in Windsor fearful of possibly testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, Windsor Family Credit Union and Farhi Holding Corp. have joined together to offer hotel rooms as alternative accommodations to those who want to remain isolated from family members.

“This will be a great option for some of our people,” said Gisele Seguin, director of public affairs for Windsor Regional Hospital. “This will be really important for someone who has an older person at their home or kids and they would like to isolate themselves.”

WFCU and Farhi Corp. jointly will be contributing up to $650,000 with 40 hotel rooms at Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel initially being made available and potentially more, if required, Seguin said.

Windsor Regional has roughly 1,800 nurses at its two hospitals, with staff, such as respiratory technologists, also having an opportunity to stay at the hotel if they choose, she said.

Responding to COVID-19 requires all of us to think outside of the box and move quickly.

“These are not for one-night stays, but for people who wish more long-term accommodations to keep safe,” Seguin said. “It’s not going to be the kind of thing for everyone, but we are very appreciative. We want to say thanks to the entire community for the care and concern for our staff.”

Shmuel Farhi, president for Farhi Holdings Corp., was happy to play a role in assisting front-line health care workers in Windsor to remain safe during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” he said. “Responding to COVID-19 requires all of us to think outside of the box and move quickly.

“It is our pleasure to support the Windsor community and regional hospital. The sacrifice of our health-care workers, doctors, nurses and other practitioners will never be forgotten. It is our hope that the accommodation will provide relief to our frontline workers as they fight an invisible enemy.”

Frontline health-care workers will be provided accommodations for up to three months at the riverfront hotel located at 277 Riverside Dr. W.

“Accommodations have been identified as a critical need by many frontline workers who are concerned about returning home to their families due to the risks this may pose, especially if they have unique personal family health issues,” Farhi said.

“We have the accommodations that are required and we are pleased to be able to offer them to assist these frontline workers.”

WFCU is also happy to help out during this “unprecedented time,” said Eddie Francis, CEO for WFCU.

“We want to help alleviate some of the stress these individuals are facing by providing them with a place to return to get the respite they need without the fear of potentially putting their families and loved ones at risk,” he said.

Windsor Regional Hospital will coordinate the allocation of the rooms.

“Windsor Regional Hospital is overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support for our staff on the frontlines and care they provide to patients,” said David Musyj, CEO for Windsor Regional Hospital.

“I want to thank Shmuel Farhi and Eddie Francis for coming forward at this difficult time to provide hotel accommodations for Windsor Regional Hospital staff. “Your efforts to flatten the curve are appreciated.”