Franchised dealerships in the nation’s capital are answering the call to help healthcare workers with patients who have the coronavirus.

On Monday, the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), also producers of The Washington Auto Show, made a $50,000 donation to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, to help support its work screening and treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to spread across the world, WANADA acknowledged hospitals are being stretched to the limits, while doctors, nurses, and support staff members are putting themselves at risk to heroically provide care to at-risk patients. Through this donation, WANADA said the group is supporting a vital institution in its region at its time of greatest need.

“MedStar Georgetown staff members are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working tirelessly to help save lives,” WANADA chairman Kevin Reilly said in a news release. “WANADA, and our member auto dealers, are thankful for their service to the Washington metro area in this critical time of need.”

Hospital president Mike Sachtleben offered his reaction of what the donation did to help.

“MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is deeply grateful for this remarkable gift of support from WANADA,” Sachtleben said. “This gift will further enable us to strengthen our efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an unprecedented time in our nation and this hospital’s history, and I want to express our sincere thanks to the members of WANADA and those in our community who have given so generously of themselves to help support our mission during this critical time,” he added.

WANADA invited other parts of the automotive industry to support MedStar Georgetown Hospital during this time of critical need by going to this website where there are a variety of options to give.

“WANADA continues to serve and support our customers and our community throughout this crisis,” WANADA president and chief executive officer John O’Donnell said. “In our 103-year history, WANADA and our member dealers have weathered many periods of strife.

“I know that we will get through this acutely difficult time, and that when we do, we will owe an immense debt of gratitude to the front-line health professionals like those at MedStar Georgetown for all they have done to serve us,” O’Donnell went on to say.