A volunteer operation started just last week by friends and neighbors in the local Chinese-American community to help slow the spread of the coronavirus is already delivering critical safety supplies to healthcare workers in North Texas.
Organized under the banner DFW CARE (Chinese American Relief for Epidemic), the group has raised over $90,000, purchased FDA-approved protective gear, organized volunteers, and delivered batches of supplies to local hospitals and medical personnel—all in a matter of days.
Plano City Council Member Lily Bao is one of the volunteers and has been sharing their success stories on social media.
On Monday, DFW CARE volunteers delivered 4,250 Level 3 masks, 800 face shields, and 20,000 medical gloves to six area hospitals.
They delivered more personal protective equipment (PPEs) on Wednesday to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and met four other volunteer groups also donating much-needed supplies.
“The staff is overwhelmed by the donations they received today,” Bao said:
“The enthusiasm and compassion from the Asian American community toward the medical facilities is absolutely incredible. So many people want to find supplies and make donations. I was told by one group today that they made purchases two weeks ago, and the shipments are coming in this week.”
DFW CARE says 100 percent of funds raised will be used towards fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
“We want to unite the community to raise money and PPE for our heroes, the medical professionals fighting against COVID-19 for all of us,” said organizer Yujian Yan.
For more information, updates, and to find out how you can help, visit the DFW CARE website. The group also has a GoFundMe page.
Have you seen someone step up as a citizen-leader, volunteering in your neighborhood to help others during the coronavirus pandemic? Let us know—we want to share their stories. Please send to submission@texasscorecard.com.