Nurses at Salem Hospital’s orthopedics unit teamed up to collect hundreds of items to help homeless families at the YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter (SOS).

Nearly 50 nurses from 6 South were divided into five teams. They bought items with their own money and donated them to the effort. The donations ranged from daily necessities like toothbrushes and mouthwash to toilet paper and shampoo. The effort was part of the hospital’s Nurses Give Back program, which also donated a $500 check to the shelter.

Salem Hospital nurses have worked with SOS for several years. Organizers say this year’s effort by nurses in the orthopedics unit tripled the amount they collected in 2012. In past years, the nurses helped clean and furnish a room at the shelter, plus paint the walls.

SOS has provided transitional housing for homeless families in Marion and Polk Counties since 1988. Fourteen families live in the shelter at one time for an average of four to six months. Around 20 parents and about 30 children typically stay in the shelter every day. Donations from individuals, businesses and organizations provide more than half of the shelter’s income.

Salem Hospital is part of Salem Health, along with West Valley Hospital, Willamette Health Partners and other affiliated health care organizations offering exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. Visit us at salemhealth.org; “Like” us on facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at youtube.com/salemhealth.