Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter

The Merrill AmericInn hotel has teamed up with the Merrill Area Housing Authority (MAHA) to create the Comfort and Care Project.
The Comfort and Care Project was made to help the elderly and shut-in citizens of Merrill, get the basic living necessities during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis.
AmericInn began accepting donations on Tuesday, March 17, and will be accepting donations until this crisis is over. According to AmericInn manager Ernie Stender, the AmericInn hotel will be the drop off location for all donations, while MAHA will assist with delivering the donated items to Merrill residents in need.

“We would like to have all of the donations dropped off at the hotel,” said Stender. “We are here 24 hours a day so they can come and drop off whenever they’d like. If people need help bringing in donations we can certainly help with that as well.”
“We have had a really good response in just one day,” Stender continued. “The people of Merrill are really responding well. The only notice they’ve been given was the Facebook post I shared, so we are expecting an even greater response next week.”
Donated items needed include: toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, tissues, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food, depends, shower soap, shampoo and toothpaste.
The AmericInn will also be accepting monetary donations to purchase more in-need items.
“We need to help these special citizens during this time of crisis, especially since the Merrill-Go-Round won’t be running,” Stender added. “They are scared, confused and in a panic and we can make a difference,”