Together Detroit: Wings' Larkin donates gloves to area hospitals

During this time of staying home to help fight the spread of COVID-19, many people are looking for ways to help, especially ways to help those on the front lines - doctors, nurses and anyone working at hospitals or health care facilities.

The Red Wings are among those who are finding opportunities to give back.
Alternate captain Dylan Larkin has always been involved in the community, whether it's through his work with the Special Olympics in his hometown of Waterford, Mich., through the annual Larkin Hockey School he runs with his brother and cousins, through speaking at the Detroit Free Press Sports Awards or through the many events the Red Wings community relations team puts on each season.
With a little help from his dad, Kevin, Larkin came up with an idea to help two metro Detroit hospitals with a vital need.

"So my dad, being a part of the beauty industry, has a supplier for gloves that he goes through and he actually had some in his garage," Larkin said. "He was watching the news and I actually was, too. They made a mention that hospitals had a need for gloves and masks obviously so he felt he had a good chunk of them and I bought them off of him to donate to the hospitals. Kind of supporting him, and then we went through his distributor to get some more gloves to donate."
The Larkins were able to collect 50,000 vinyl powder-free and nitrile gloves, with 25,000 going to the Detroit Medical Center and the other 25,000 going to St. Joseph Mercy Health System.

"I want to express my gratitude on behalf the Detroit Medical Center to Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings organization for this donation of critical medical supplies. We are fortunate to have a long lasting partnership with the Red Wings," said Audrey Gregory, PhD, RN, Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Medical Center. "These are very challenging times for all of us. This donation is another example of the commitment the Red Wings organization and its players have to our community."
There have been many stories of hospitals around the country running out of protective gear so every little bit matters during this pandemic.
"It's a thing where they probably go through that in a day but if it helps, get in their hands and keep doctors and nurses and cleaning crews safe, then I'm happy to help for that day," Larkin said. "Whatever it may be, I'm able to donate and they're the ones donating their time and their lives, in some cases, where they're putting their lives on the line, then that's the main thing that I'm supporting."
The gloves were delivered Friday to the Detroit Medical Center and St. Mary Mercy Livonia.
"We are so thankful to Dylan for this much-appreciated gift of gloves for St. Mary Mercy Livonia," said Rob Casalou, president and CEO, Trinity Health Michigan. "These gloves will be going straight to our clinicians in the emergency room where they will be put to immediate use as we continue to treat the large number of patients seeking care at our hospital."

If the Larkins are able to get even more gloves, this may not be the only donation.
"Depending how it goes, I might see if more guys can chip in and we can do some more," Larkin said. "I think they're kind of obviously focused on the hospitals but they just got a shipment in. We'll see."