We’ve noticed that some of the best qualities in people are coming out during this pandemic. People are being kind to one another, practicing social distancing at local grocery stores and pharmacies, and going out of their way to help those in need.
Local company, Hatch Exhibits, has been in the news lately. Their main business comes from events and trade shows, and after Covid-19 caused them to close down, owner Chris McCormick retooled the company and they began designing and producing medical gowns and masks with the same type of materials and techniques he had used to make banners and graphic displays. Click here for full story in the Washington Post.
“Hope and purpose — that’s what we’ve got,” owner Chris McCormick says of his newly created business making face shields and medical gowns.
What can YOU do to help your community? Here are 5 ways you can help today.
1.Donate money for meals.
The Charles Village Pub in Towson is making meals for local front-line workers. Your donation buys a hearty meal, dessert and chips with dip for a COVID-19 crisis worker. About their mission:
“We are a group of soccer moms (and dads) who were feeling helpless during this COVID-19 crisis. During an online 'Happy Hour', we came up with the idea to donate food to crisis workers, and use CVP to fill the orders. With that, a movement was born. We are excited, energized, and finally feeling useful. Your donation accomplishes so much – feeding those on the front lines, help a small business & keep people employed!!! Thank you for your generosity.
- Melony Wagner
melony@cvptowson.com
2. Make and donate face masks.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has some great information about making masks and where to donate. The COVID-19 DIY Masks initiative is a way for our communities to assist during these unprecedented times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued guidance approving the use of cloth masks in certain settings.
The Facts
These masks can be worn by employees not providing care and by patients and visitors.
Unlike the N95 masks, these are not designed to prevent COVID-19 entirely; however, if constructed properly they will prevent some transmission.
There are two variations of the mask – folded and fitted – and both are options when creating these masks.
Sewing experience, not expertise, is required to fabricate these correctly.
3. Foster a pet.
Foster care volunteers provide temporary care for kittens, puppies, dogs and cats. Foster care programs serve animals that come in under eight-weeks-old, very sick and injured, or need some extra socialization or training. Foster families provide quiet, stress free and loving environments, allowing animals to recover. Contact Barcs or other animal rescue organizations to see if they are in need of foster care for their animals.
4. Buy groceries for neighbors.
You can connect with neighbors via NextDoor or do it the old fashioned way and knock on doors to see if some of the elderly folks need help. If you do decide to go the in-person route, be sure to follow proper social distancing procedures and wash your hands before and after you drop goods at their door.
5. Support the Maryland Food Bank.
“Demand at the Food Bank has increased by 100%. Donated food available to our network has dropped by 90%. MFB is replacing that food by purchasing food, which is getting more expensive and harder to find as the supply chain tightens.
Over the last two weeks of March alone, MFB distributed 2.4 million pounds of food. Between now and June 30, MFB needs to raise $12M to fund its COVID-19 response plan.”
What have YOU been doing to help your community? What have you been doing since you've been homebound? Email me at cathy.evans@monumentsothebysrealty.com and I can share your ideas in the next blog.