HOW WILL YOU PARTICIPATE IN #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW?
Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary. ~ Gerard Way
Nurses. Doctors. Grocery store employees. Delivery drivers. Warehouse workers. First responders. Truck drivers. Cleaners. There are so many people who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. They continue to help keep our community safe and the world running. Communities are encouraged to take action on behalf of frontline workers who have continued to do their jobs, as well as, the world's other - often forgotten - frontline workers: the nonprofits and community organizations that feed, house, educate, and nurture neighbors. The social services sector stepped up at the very moment the world needs it most, taking care of the mental, emotional and physical needs of the community. To honor and celebrate their ongoing work, let’s say thank you! Join the cause by donating to our general fund and to our supply drive! You can also use one of the examples below to say thank you!
SUPPLY DRIVE: Asking for paper and cleaning products, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for our partner agencies. You can drop off supplies at the following locations:
- Chevy Chase Center - 640 North 5th Street, Indiana - Monday - Friday 9:00am-2:00pm
- Food Bank - 1849 South 6th Street, Indiana - Monday - Friday 7:00am-4:30pm
- Salvation Army - 635 Water Street, Indiana - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
DONATE TO GENERAL FUND: The United Way of Indiana County's partner agencies, need your help now more than ever! Donating to the general fund will allow us to extend financial support to our partners and help them where they need it the most. Your investment will create a long-lasting community impact and ensure that their services continue to reach those in need! DONATE HERE
We want to show the world that Indiana County is United for frontline workers!
8 WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU!
There are many ways to say thank you. Below are some ideas our staff put together. Choose one – or more – so frontline workers can know how much our community appreciates them! If you have other ideas let us know by emailing uwjackson@uwindianacounty.org and we will add them to the list. Want to see who we are highlighting throughout the week - follow us on facebook!
1. DONATE A MEAL
Everyone loves a free meal. If you are thinking about donating a meal, be sure to coordinate with the location so your delivery can be done efficiently and safely. If you can’t make the delivery yourself, you can buy a meal instead. Many national and local businesses are delivering meals to support frontline workers. Remember meal donations can be a great way to thank hospital workers as well as the staff at your doctor’s office, EMTs, police officers, firefighters and grocery clerks.
2. MAKE A SIGN FOR YOUR FRONT WINDOW OR YARD
Make someone’s commute to work brighter by posting a sign in your window or front yard telling frontline workers how much they mean to our community. This is a great project for kids!
3. BE KIND
Essential workers who are keeping grocery, convenience and pharmacy stores open see large groups of people every day. When you must shop at one of these stores, be respectful of the people working there. Tell them thank you, wear a protective mask, keep your distance from employees and be kind to team members and other customers. These small acts can help workers feel appreciated and safer at their jobs.
4. SHARE A MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
As we all keep our physical distance, connecting online has become even more important. Using social media is a great way to thank frontline workers. You can tag people you know or send a general message using the hashtags #FrontlineLove, #FrontlineHeroes, #COVIDHeroes or #InThisTogether. On May 5, you can also reshare posts from our Facebook or Twitter channels.
5. LEAVE ITEMS FOR DELIVERY WORKERS
Delivery workers are putting in long hours and many find it hard to get to the store. Help them by leaving items such as water bottles, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, snacks and other essentials that will get them through their day or save them a trip to the store. Remember to sanitize the items as best as you can and leave instructions so the delivery people do the same.
6. EMAIL CONGRESS
Show frontline workers you appreciate their work by helping them get the support they need. During this time of uncertainty and economic crisis, many people, including those still working, need a boost to make ends meet. Vital services like 211, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and SNAP can provide relief for frontline workers – and others – in need. You can ask your representative to increase funding for these services. Use this form to email your member of Congress.
7. JOIN A DAILY SALUTE
Across the world, many communities are now doing a daily salute to frontline workers by lighting candles, applauding, cheering, howling or sounding horns at a certain time of day. Check neighborhood Facebook groups, posts on Next Door and local newspapers to find one that is happening in your neighborhood.
8. STAY AT HOME
The most important thing you can do to thank frontline workers is to stay home. When we all stay home, we limit the spread of COVID-19. So limit outings to essential trips to the grocery store, medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, walking pets and helping the vulnerable. When outside, use social distancing to stay at least six feet away from others.
Even though we are apart, we can still be United. Let’s show frontline workers that we are in this together!
Want to do more for our community? The United Way of Indiana County is supporting people in our community impacted by COVID-19. Join the cause!
DONATE TODAY!