CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A Midlothian neighborhood is raising thousands of dollars to not only benefit medical frontliners at Johnston-Willis Hospital, but restaurants too.
The Greater Stonehenge Civic Association started a GoFundMe in early April. Its goal was to hit $2,500 to pay for weekly meals for Emergency and ICU workers at the hospital.
Those meals would come from nearby restaurants like Angelo's, Brick House Diner, Great Harvest Bread, and Front Porch.
The GoFundMe hit the $2,500 goal and provided about 325 meals.
Stonehenge board member Julia Groom spearheaded the effort. She said they hope to continue to provide meals for as long as this pandemic lasts.
"The food is great, but what really seems to make an impact is for them to know that there are people in the community that recognize them, that know they’re putting their lives on the line every day, and that we care," Groom said. "It helps pull together us, and the restaurants, and the hospital. So it’s a triple win."
Groom's motivation goes deeper.
She said she was touched and impressed by the staff at Johnston-Willis Hospital when they recently cared for her 88-year-old mother.
She saw this as an opportunity to give back.
"I just watched the doctors, and the nurses, and the respiratory people, and the admissions, and the staff across the board. They are amazing and my mom could not have had better care," she said. "It's not just the medical piece. It's the compassion and the care. And I can't even imagine what it's like now when there are patients that can't have visitors. It would've been traumatic for me to have my 88-year-old mom in the hospital and not be able to visit her. So they are our heroes and we want them to know we have their back."
On Wednesday one of the food deliveries was made to the hospital at 7 a.m.
The Emergency Department received an assortment of breads and rolls from Great Harvest Bread.
Neighbors have set a new $5,000 GoFundMe goal.
COVID-19 Precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.