The outpouring of support for community hospitals has been remarkable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cummings Foundation, a longtime supporter of Winchester Hospital, has made a gift of $100,000 to support the hospital’s Healthcare Heroes Fund. This is the largest gift the hospital has received for the fund.

“We are blessed to have world-class healthcare in our communities,” said Dennis Clarke, chairman of Cummings Properties, a commercial real estate company based in Woburn. “We wanted to help immediately.”

This gift was part of Cummings Foundation’s commitment to support local nonprofits affected by COVID-19. The foundation is doing this despite the looming economic crisis caused by the pandemic. “We are not insulated from this public health crisis or its economic impacts,” Clarke explained, “but our financial stability enables us to reinvest in our community during this time of great need.” The foundation has given a substantial amount of support in recent weeks to emergency funds across the area.

The Winchester Hospital Healthcare Heroes Fund is intended to care for our frontline caregivers who are risking their lives in the battle against COVID-19. The fund has paid for new equipment and supplies amid statewide and national shortages. The fund also supports employees by covering costs such as supplemental emergency day care, free healthy meals, a respite tent, enhanced employee assistance for emotional challenges, and more.

Clarke said Winchester Hospital is integral to Cummings Properties’ success, as many of their employees live in the greater Woburn and Winchester area and look to Winchester Hospital for their health care.