April 2, 2020

 

Dear Hathaway Brown Community,

 

It’s been so inspiring to read stories about all the ways that families and children of all ages are doing their part to support others as we all contend with this new reality of staying at home and giving our healthcare workers the time and the tools they need to deal with COVID-19 in Northeast Ohio, around the country, and across the globe. As Dr. Bisselle mentioned in her email message earlier this week, Hathaway Brown has been proud to donate personal protective equipment items to aid the cause. And some of our students and their parents have been hard at work sewing masks, supporting local small businesses, and looking out for their neighbors and friends. It is an integral part of HB’s mission to be a force for the common good beyond our campus and we will no doubt continue to develop ways to do our part as the situation continues to evolve. The Center for Civic Engagement has created this roundup of links that will allow HB families to make a difference during this time.

 

 

At this moment, the most powerful support is via financial contributions either to organizations on the front lines of COVID-19 or to organizations that help the most vulnerable in Northeast Ohio.

 

Cleveland Foundation: Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund “is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible. The Rapid Response Fund will provide grant awards on a rolling basis to nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties.”

 

COVID-19 Community Response Campaign: “The Community Response Campaign is Cleveland Clinic’s effort to direct people’s generosity, time and resources to provide meaningful impact for our patients and caregivers in a variety of ways.”

 

Greater Cleveland Food Bank: “The Food Bank is, and will continue, to do everything we can to provide everyone in our community with the nutritious food they need to stay healthy during the COVID-19 crisis—but we need your help to feed children, families, seniors, and other hard-working neighbors struggling with hunger.”

 

MedWish: “Is seeking the public’s help in order to continue the work of supporting the local and global medical community during this unprecedented health emergency and beyond.” MedWish is accepting donations of PPEs and monetary contributions.

 

HB junior Bridgette Fuentes '21 has created a COVID-Connect Facebook page for seniors to engage with each other during these often isolating times of social distancing. You can find it here. Please share with others as well.

 

American Red Cross: still has a critical need for blood donors.

 

Make Surgical Masks and drop them off at a local Pins and Needles shop. Instructions for making the masks can be found here and a link to the YouTube video tutorial can be found here.

 

Litter Patrol: is a wonderful family activity that helps everyone—especially children—find a sense of purpose. When heading out on neighborhood walks, just bring gloves for all family members and some trash bags. Your neighbors will thank you!

 

Thank you for your support, and I wish you all good health.

 

Sincerely,

Stephanie Hiedemann
Director of the HB Center for Civic Engagement