Coronavirus prompts acts of kindness in Central Florida
There are more and more documented cases of coronavirus as each day passes, and the death toll continues to rise. Toilet paper and hand soap are scarce. Many businesses have been forced to close, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.
But a few Central Floridians and local organizations are a shining light during these unpredictable times, performing acts of kindness.
Here are a few of their stories.
■ Barton Malow Builders distributed “Return to Work Kits” to its 2,000 nationwide employees — including 250 in Central Florida. The kits included anti-fog safety glasses, hand sanitizer, face coverings, neck gaiters, nitrile disposable gloves and pre-moistened toilettes.
■ Children’s Home Society of Florida, a national leader in trauma-informed counseling, launched free, 24/ 7 confidential online counseling for kids, parents and others. Their Family Support Warm Line connects users to a real counselor with a call, text or click. For more information, go to chsfl.org/ support.
In addition, two Children’s Home Society of Florida case managers rotated in shifts to make sure a boy in foster care never had to be alone during his stay at a Central Florida hospital.
■ Floyd’s 99 Barbershop teamed up with The Ravenous Pig to offer free haircuts and beer to first responders.
■ On May 15, all Chuck E. Cheese locations across the U.S., including seven in Orlando, donated a percentage of sales to the Boys & Girls Club of America to celebrate the holiday, according to a press release. In addition, each restaurant donated family meals to organizations in their community, including first responders and medical personnel. In Central Florida, deliveries will go to Orlando Health and AdventHealth East Orlando.
“Giving back to the communities and the families we serve is a Chuck E. Cheese core value, and we look forward to a wonderful day of giving throughout the U.S. and around the world,” said Sherri Landry, CEC Entertainment chief marketing officer, in the press release.
■ Orlando resident Steven Yalowitz used part of his stimulus check to purchase lunches from Latin Square Cuisine — which has been struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic — and distributed the meals to homeless people in downtown Orlando.
■ Easy Event Planning has shifted its focus to a platform they developed called “Honor And Thank,” which allows anyone who uses it to send a message of gratitude and thanks to a healthcare worker or facility. Messages can be posted in photos, video or text and can reach more than 12,000 healthcare facilities.
“During this time of crisis in our nation, it’s essential that we join together to honor and thank the first responders in the hospitals, nursing homes and health care facilities … ” read a press release from Easy Event Planning. “They are putting their own health and the health of their loved ones back home at risk every single day.”
For more information or to send a message, go to easyeventplanning.com/honorand-thank.
■ Amazon donated $100,000 to Feeding Florida, the partner state association of Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization. The donation will help feed thousands of Floridians impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Amazon is committed to supporting Floridians year-round, but especially during times of need,” said Rob Packett, Southeast regional director of operations at Amazon, in an email. “We’re honored to team up with Feeding Florida to do our part in making sure that Floridians have access to the food essentials needed to make it through these challenging times.”
■ Best Friends Animal Society employee Emily Park printed #ViralKindness cards and placed them in three Free Little Library stations. The cards were designed by Best Friends to connect neighbors who could lend a helping hand.
She heard from a family in need and posted on Nextdoor asking for help.
This led Park to connect with her neighbor Wednesday Hugus, who operates a contamination-free people and pet pantry in her garage, where a team of volunteers prepare and deliver meals to neighbors in need.
Twenty neighbors also responded to Park’s post, providing supplies, grocery gift cards and cash. Park shopped for groceries from Hugus’ pantry and delivered everything to the family in need.
Park’s neighborhood network continues to offer support and donations, which she distributes to those in need.
“It’s helped connect me to the beautiful community I didn’t realize was right outside my door and given all of us something to feel good about during a really devastating time,” she said in an email.
■ Jeremiah’s Italian Ice gave away more than 1,000 free treats to healthcare workers in Central Florida.
■ In response to the coronavirus, since April, the Sikh Society of Central Florida has provided free meals to those who stop by the Oviedo organization. They are currently serving about 500 meals from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Sunday.
They’ve also hosted a blood drive and have plans to host another in the near future.
For more information, go to facebook.com/OrlandoGurudwaraOviedo.
■ The Learning Experience in Apopka is offering free child care to local first responders and health care workers through an emergency child care scholarship program.
To qualify, applicants must be employed with a first responder organization or essential medical organization, be a resident of Orange or Osceola county and have a child under age 13.
Learn more and apply through nonprofit organization Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C) at 4cflorida.org /child-care-for-first-responders -and-health-care-workers.
■ Orlando Utilities Commission honored and thanked grocery store workers by feeding nearly 400 employees last week at eight locations across Orange and Osceola counties.
■ Bite Squad purchased and delivered free lunches on May 11 to frontline healthcare professionals at AdventHealth Orlando. The company will continue to provide hospital staff with meals, including a delivery on May 12 at Orlando Regional Medical Center and May 14 at the Orlando Police Department.
“So many lives have been disrupted here in Orlando and throughout the country. We all count on those on the frontline workers to help us get through this,” said CEO Carl Grimstad in a press release. “We know the hospital workers are the ones dealing directly with the patients, so we are honored to have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to do what we can to help those in the areas we serve.”
■ The Orlando neighborhood Keene’s Pointe decided to come together for a cheery activity during this pandemic: a socially-distant flash mob. One resident of the community drove around on a golf cart, capturing families in their front yard as they danced along to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” It’s apparent from this video that Keene’s Pointe residents definitely have that sunshine in their pockets, maybe even that good soul in their feet.
■ The residents of Orlando neighborhood Porter Place decided to show support and recognition for all graduating residents (kindergarten, high school and college graduates) by hosting a socially distanced graduation ceremony at 3:30 p.m. May 2. The ceremony will have a guest speaker, and graduates (who are encouraged to dress in their school colors and attend with family) will receive a “graduation certificate” as a recognition for their achievements. There will be a balloon arch and cupcake celebration to follow. Later that evening, there will be a sidewalk chalk art show and sunset stroll from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
■ Nonprofit Never Stand Alone and grassroots movement Masks 4 CFL have partnered to distribute masks in Central Florida, starting with giving away 5,000 three-ply, protective face masks. So far, they’ve delivered masks to the city of Winter Park, city of Maitland, Winter Park Post Office, BurgerFi, Kelly Price and Company, Orchid Thai, Pannullo’s, Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen, Tabla, Sanford Brewing Company and Midici Pizza.
“As Central Floridians, we have personal ties to so many heroic healthcare workers, essential workers, non profit volunteers and community members that are risking their lives every day,” a press release stated. “During these uncertain times, we are hoping that you will find this challenge to be an outlet to share hope and connection. It is our sincere hope that our donations will build the momentum to help flatten the curve.”
Those interested in donating to the cause can find more information at neverstandalone.org. or masks4cfl.com.
■ Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers announced its new “A Pie for A Pie” community giving program. For every pizza sold on April 30, the Mellow Mushroom’s Orlando, International Drive and Winter Park franchisees will donate pies to Bags of Hope, which provides meals for school children in need.
Mellow Mushroom’s Sanford franchisee will donate pies to Central Florida Regional Hospital, and Mellow Mushroom Port Orange and Mount Dora will donate pies to the local fire and police stations.
“Mellow Mushroom is delighted to launch A Pie for a Pie to help those helping others,” said Jill Brown, Mellow Mushroom’s Sanford store owner, in a press release. “We are grateful to so many people who have helped us survive this unprecedented time.”
■ The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando distributed free dog and cat food for those in need of a helping paw May 1.
■ Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Co. has been serving up support in the Central Florida community and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 22, Barnie’s donated 50 cups of coffee to AdventHealth’s team working at The Mall at Millenia testing site. On March 27, the company donated coffee and breakfast to healthcare professionals at AdventHealth’s Winter Park campus. Barnie’s also donated a palette of coffee to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida during its “Christmas in April Zoom Party” on April 10.