By ADRIANA ALFARO
The brisk September air always feels like a fresh new start. For those at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church that’s exactly what they’re hoping to achieve: a wind of change.
Upon walking into the church auditorium, cookies, cinnamon rolls and a warm apple cake were displayed on a table.
On the other side of the room, piles of gently folded blue surgical wrap. Both were provided by Sea Isle local, Margaret Morris.
The former Washington Township teacher has worked diligently to collect surgical wraps from local hospitals and repurposing them into totes, masks and mats for those experiencing homelessness.
Morris got the idea after seeing Gaye Harley, a patient navigator at Saint Francis Healthcare Hospital in Wilmington, Del.; repurpose the same material on the news.
“I contacted Gaye Harley and she had brought me a few samples. Since then it’s been a mission of love. I’ve met so many wonderful people,” said Morris.
Surgical wraps are intended to allow sterilization of the enclosed medical devices and to maintain sterility of the enclosed devices until opened.
The blue wrap is not reusable, non-biodegradable and requires immediate disposal making it a primary source of waste in medical facilities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that material also accounts for 19 percent of all operating room waste – 255 million pounds annually throughout the nation.
This is not the first group to help Morris reuse the polypropylene material. Throughout the summer, Morris worked with the local youth to create hundreds of new items.
After creating the new products, Morris takes them to a Veterans Affairs office. The products are then used for their Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH).
Additionally, she provides the items to the Branches Outreach Center, doctors’ offices or wherever she can find a homeless outreach program.
A handful of volunteers gathered to fold, mark and sew the blue surgical wrap.
“It’s rewarding in a number of ways because we are repurposing material that cannot go in the landfill, meanwhile we are helping people who are less fortunate,” said Veronica Lish, who has participated as a Eucharistic minister for over 35 years.
On the handle of the tote bags, “You are loved” was written in black marker.
“Our parish is involved in many service activities. Our Catholic Daughters and Knights of Columbus organizations have completed many projects on a local scale as well as on a larger scale,” said Jean Pittaluga, a coordinator of Religious Education at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Pittaluga enthusiastically spoke about upcoming events including Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4 and a Saints Alive Museum on Nov. 6.
Those who are interested can view a full list of events on https://www.visitsicnj.com/
