COVID, Coronavirus, the global pandemic. Whatever you call it, the situation has touched everyone from every corner of the Earth. It’s strained people financially, mentally, and emotionally. And yet despite all that, selfless men and women are thinking beyond themselves not for recognition, but genuinely out of the goodness of their hearts.
Our community has stepped up in a big way to support the local businesses, frontline staff, and those in need. These are the people that deserve to be celebrated because we’re all in this together.
So let’s drown out all the media negativity with some warm fuzzies. Here are a few selfless acts of kindness that have made all the difference.
· H-E-B and Favor teamed up to ensure seniors and at-risk individuals could get free same-day groceries delivered. For those in need of a little extra help, a dedicated phone line and website will pair you up with a personal shopper. H-E-B also created a $3 million-dollar relief fund to be spread across communities in Texas. As part of their #TexansHelpingTexans initiative, all 90 stores in the Greater Houston area ordered takeout from a local restaurant today (the Beaumont store was fed by Carmela’s).
· Lauren Bebeau (SETX Foodies) has tirelessly coordinated efforts to feed those on the front line by collecting donations to purchase food from locally owned businesses and distributing them to hospital workers and first responders. The St. Elizabeth nurses got tasty 5 Under Golf treats, Buckstin Brewery fed the Port Arthur firefighters, and employees at Acadian Ambulance received Cici's Pizza.
· Erika Harris came up with the idea for the Adopt-a-Nurse program where nurses are matched with donors to provide masks, gloves, wipes, respirators, coveralls, snacks, Gatorade, and other life-saving items. District Attorney Bob Wortham and his wife donated $10,000 to get it underway.
· Lamar State College - Port Arthur donated medical supplies from its Allied Health Program to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Hospital, including hundreds of respiratory masks, gowns, and gloves.
· Local Beaumont pharmacy Lovoi and Sons has started making their own hand sanitizer that is designed to be more effective and won’t dry out your hands. As you can imagine, they have quite the waitlist.
· Brittany Hinson and others have started a grassroots effort to sew masks for medical personnel. If you’d like to participate, supplies can be dropped off at Kare Infusion Center to be distributed around the region.
· Tokyo dropped off 100 plates of food to Baptist Hospital, 55 meals to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Southeast Texas Medical Center, and 25 to St. Elizabeth hospital. Their family and friends are donating money to keep the first responders and health care workers fed.
· Al Basha Restaurant is offering 25 free meals a day to anyone who can’t put food on the table as long as they’re financially able.
· Tacos El Primo donated taco trays to Beaumont Fire and Rescue.
· Charlie’s Bar-B-QUE & Catering donated lunch to the staff at Ubi Caritas.
· The Visit Beaumont CVB staff delivered pizzas and cheesy jokes to 40+ of the area hotels in an effort to raise their spirits.
· The Schooner Restaurant provided lunch to the ER team at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas.
· Outback Steakhouse donated meals to Baptist Hospital and the Beaumont Police Department.
· Willy Burger fed 20 nurses at Home Health Hospice.
· Tacos La Bamba fed 12 at the Beaumont ISD Admin building.
· Nationwide, Starbucks is giving free coffee to first responders and healthcare workers on the frontline.
Do you know any other individuals or businesses who deserve recognition?
Visit https://www.beaumontcvb.com/update/ for all current destination updates.
Check out our article "How to Virtually Explore Beaumont While Safely Socially Distancing" for ideas on staying sane and "Keep Calm and Carryout: Insane Takeout Deals to Curb Your Crisis Cravings Right Now" to satisfy your hunger pains while at home.
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