There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 crisis is wreaking havoc on many people’s lives right now, and it can be hard to stay positive.  That’s why FirstLantic thought everyone could use some good news.  As the saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and that’s exactly what’s happening as more people are stepping up to help those in need.  In our blog this week, FirstLantic profiles three heroes that are setting examples and proving that bad times really can bring out the good in people. And while we profile three heroes in this blog, there are thousands of others as well.  We acknowledge all of those on the frontlines every day – doctors, nurses, home caregivers, the military, police, first responders, and all the people that are making and delivering essential goods and services.  FirstLantic salutes you all!

 

Ashley Lawrence

 

Meet Ashley Lawrence who is a college senior in Kentucky.  She saw a need and decided to do something about it.  With the CDC now recommending that everyone wear masks in public, Ashley realized that it could pose a problem for deaf or hard of hearing people who rely on reading lips or facial expressions to help them communicate.  As Ashley explained, “I just saw that people were making masks on Facebook for everyone, and I thought, what about the deaf and hard of hearing population?” So, she created a special mask with clear plastic and started making them at home with the help of her mother.  She is now distributing them free of charge to anyone that needs them. To learn more about her inspirational story, click here.  You can also send her a note directly at [email protected]

 

Cavanaugh Bell

 

Cavanaugh is only seven years old, but that doesn’t stop him from helping the elderly by delivering care packages.  He realized that many older people, including his beloved grandmother, couldn’t leave their house because they were at higher risk for the virus.  So he decided to make care packages and deliver them to seniors in his hometown of Gaithersburg, Maryland.  He used all of his savings to buy the initial supplies for 100 packages, which include toilet paper, sanitary hand wipes, and a hot meal.  When people heard of his good deeds, donations started rolling in, and he was able to expand and assemble more. However, for safety reasons, Cavanaugh and his mother are the only ones that deliver them.  Asked why he does it, he said, “It makes me feel beautiful inside because I like giving back.” And this isn’t the first time that Cavanaugh has been a hero.  When he was six, he started an anti-bullying campaign that earned him Congressional recognition!   If you would like to support either of his causes, go to his GoFundMe page.

 

Jenny Kim

 

Jenny is a mother of four and the founder of the Instagram group called Parenthood Together.  As she saw doctors and nurses courageously putting their lives on the line every day, she decided to provide them with free meals.  In the process, Kim also helped a small business that was having financial trouble due to COVID-19.  She reached out to the owner of Bebop Bagel in Hempstead, NY with a proposal.  She offered to raise money through her Instagram page and pay him to cook meals to deliver to hospitals.  As Jenny said, “I feel a sense of responsibility to try and take care of all of them.  But it comes down to funding, making sure we have the funds to help restaurants and feed more people.”  Other restaurants are now offering to help, and cities around the country are trying to set up the same type of program in their community.  To donate to Jenny Kim’s fund, click here.

 

In conclusion, every one of us is being tested in some way during this pandemic.  While it’s understandable to feel sad right now, it’s also possible to find the positive in the world.  And we can do our part to help as well.  Whether protecting other people by social distancing, donating to a worthy cause, or simply being kind to those around us, we can all be a hero in some small way.

 

If you know of people that are making a positive difference during COVID-19, please share it with us on Facebook.  And for more information on how to protect yourself and others, visit our resource page.