Doing Good During Quarantine

Maggi Feit

Although there is never a bad time to help support your community, there has never been a better time than right now. Amidst this global pandemic, many of us have familiarized ourselves with a feeling of helplessness. However, there is in fact a great deal that you can do to help those who currently need it most. Here is a list of ways that you can help:

1. Flatten the Curve of COVID-19

First and foremost, we must continue to protect ourselves, thereby protecting others. Continue to abide by the CDC’s guidelines, which include: wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with others, and stay home as much as possible. Even as we approach the 7th week of quarantine, it is fundamental that we persevere and continue to follow these steps.

2. Support local restaurants, cafes, and bars

One of the most important ways that we can support our communities is through our support of local eateries. If you are in a financial position to do so, consider ordering takeout or purchasing a gift card from a local restaurant. In addition to this, you may also consider supporting servers by donating to a fund or a nonprofit, such as the Restaurant Workers’ Community Fund.

3. COVID-19 Heroes Fund Campaign

You can support our frontline workers who are working tirelessly to protect our residents by making donations to the Heroes Fund. There are three ways to do so:

1. Buy a gift card from an Avon or Avon Lake restaurant and donate it to the fund

2. Donate Personal Protective Equipment

3. Make a monetary donation

4. American Red Cross

Due to the cancellation of blood drives, the American Red cross is facing a severe blood shortage. Now, more than ever, healthy individuals are needed to donate in order to maintain a sufficient supply. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to find a local donation site.

5. Food Bank Donations

The taproom of the Railroad Brewing Company has been converted into a makeshift Food Bank. Please consider donating any extra food you may have for those in need. You can drop off donations Monday through Friday between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.

6. Avon Lake Fire Department

The Avon Lake Fire Department currently has a limited supply of personal protective equipment. If you can help, you can contact Fire Chief Jeremy Betsa at jbetsa@avonlakefire.org or call either 440-933-8305 or 440-653-6016. They are currently seeking donations of:

• N95 masks

• Surgical masks with or without face shields

• Medical isolation gowns

• Goggles

• Gloves

• Hand sanitizer

These times are nothing short of strange and overwhelming, but we cannot allow hopelessness to overcome us. Rather, we should do our duty as citizens of America, and Avon Lake, by helping to prevent this pandemic and helping those in need. Visit this websites for more information

• https://www.avonlake.org/residents/coronavirus/business-support

• https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/articles/three-ways-you-can-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/21/how-you-can-help-during-coronavirus/?arc404=true