The frontline health-care workers who have been the beneficiary of much local love during the COVID-19 pandemic are giving back to the Newmarket community that has generously supported them for months.
Southlake Regional Health Centre respiratory therapist Lisa Wilson said she and her colleagues have been overwhelmed with the kind gestures and donations of every kind from local residents, businesses and service groups, and they wanted to do something to bring that generosity full circle.
That was the beginning of what’s now known as the #HCWS4FOOD (health-care workers for food) challenge that encourages those on the frontline during the coronavirus crisis across Canada to raise funds for local food banks.
“We want to let people know that we see what you’re doing and we appreciate it, it’s amazing, thank you,” said Wilson, an 18-year-long Southlake employee who works in the ICU and throughout other departments, including emergency, the birthing unit and nursery.
Initially, Wilson asked Southlake’s respiratory therapists and anesthesia assistants about donating to the Newmarket Food Pantry as a team.
“Within 30 seconds, many jumped in and said, ‘Yes’,” she said. “Everywhere we go, we see the community providing us food, and groups are even going so far as to individually package sandwiches and soup for each person, it’s just so kind.”
The frontline workers also regularly receive donations of crocheted ear savers and a plastic version 3-D printed, scrub hats, painted rocks with positive messages left at their door, personal protective equipment such as face shields and medical masks, meals and snacks, and more.
The drive-by parades organized by community members and first-responders are particularly uplifting, Wilson said.
“I was at the first-responders car parade, and it was so heartwarming, it’s incredible how much the community is doing,” Wilson said.
While their jobs are exponentially more stressful since the pandemic began, Wilson said the team felt fortunate that they were still working and able to put food on the table for their families.
“So, here we are, saying we feel fortunate to still be working, and a lot of people aren’t able to work, or they’re receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), but maybe that’s not enough,” she said.
After an hour of initiating the group chat, the donations for the local food bank totalled $450. That amount continued to climb past the original fundraising goal of $750. Soon, the team had raised $1,350, and a part-time therapist kicked in a $150 donation to top off the pot to an even $1,500.
The donation was delivered to the food pantry April 27.
Health-care workers giving back to the community has not only caught on locally, it’s an initiative that’s spreading around the GTA and country.
On a feel-good challenge put out by Southlake’s respiratory therapists and anesthesia assistants, the hospital’s pediatrician group last week donated $2,000 to the Newmarket food bank.
Other health-care teams at GTA hospitals have donated more than $9,000 to their own local food banks.
Halton Healthcare’s respiratory therapists and anesthesia assistants have donated $2,555 to Fare Share Food Bank in Oakville, and St. Joe’s Hamilton’s respiratory therapists and anesthesia assistants teamed up with their infection prevention and control and other colleagues to donate $2,390 to the Hamilton food bank.
“I am so excited that it seems to be picking up steam,” said Wilson.
You can check out what health-care workers are doing to give back by visiting the group on Facebook.
