"Dr. Stephanie Rhoads of Rhoads Orthodontic Specialist in Cranberry Township donated about 10,000 individual hand sanitizers to Seneca Valley and Mars Area school districts, with the help of her kids (from left) Owen, Claire and Sadie. The bottles will be distributed to students and staff when they return to school." Submitted photo.

You never know how far one act can reach, and gestures of kindness go a very long way.

A community member contacted the Eagle after learning about one such act made by Dr. Stephanie Rhoads of Rhoads Orthodontics in Cranberry Township.

Last week, Rhoads purchased and donated 7,500 to 8,000 individual hand sanitizers to Seneca Valley School District students and staff. Earlier this week, she supplied Mars Area School District students in kindergarten through grade six with 2,200 bottles.

Rhoads said she has patients who are students and teachers in both districts. She and her staff are hoping to help the schools foster a safe return to class.

“As a health care provider, we've seen how hard it is to get everything,” Rhoads said. “We're just trying to support the teachers and staff.”

Seneca Valley physically returns to class Sept. 8. Mars Area students were to have started school Monday, but Thursday morning the board delayed the start of school until Sept. 8.

Rhoads said the hand sanitizers, which come with straps for being carried, will be distributed at the start of school.

She heartened to see people pull together.

“People are really understanding,” Rhoads said. “Everybody's doing their best.”