The Village of Park Forest Department of Recreation, Parks, and Community Health has partnered with the YMCA and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to give away free personal protection equipment (PPE) to residents on Monday.
Park Forest Recreation Supervisor Adina McCollough said supplies would be available in Village Hall's lobby starting at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. or while supplies last. She said the goal is to make sure residents have what they need as the cold weather season is underway.
"We're getting closer to the holidays when people are traveling and gathering together, and viruses are still out there," McCollough said. "Whether it's the flu or COVID - people can protect themselves by ensuring they have PPE. That's why we've partnered with other entities to give our residents these items for free."
McCollough said they're giving away a can of Lysol, a bottle of Dial hand soap, and Purell hand sanitizer. Additionally, she said there will be a limited number of masks available as well.
Late last month, IDPH launched a new awareness campaign called 'Tis The Sneezin' to remind residents to vaccinate against the fall and winter triple threat: the flu, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. The announcement came when there was an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations in six counties across the state.
Residents are encouraged to come to Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, on Monday, Nov. 6., while supplies last.