As we’ve learned over the last few weeks, the nature of a highly contagious virus hits us over the head with the fact that we’re all in this together.
The only way we can lessen the impact of the coronavirus is through cooperation, and the only way we can come out of it not entirely devastated is by helping each other out.
As always, Philadelphians have stepped up in a big way—from making masks in huge numbers, to volunteering to help neighbors in need, supporting those hit by business closures, donating to various causes, and simply staying home. (Well done on that front, too.)
We’re hosting a virtual town hall this Thursday to highlight a few of the stellar citizens who have stepped up in the last month, and to help each other with the tools we need to take action. Join us to learn from these folks, to share your ideas, and to meet other Philadelphians who want to be helpers during the pandemic.
The event will feature:
Cheryl Molle is one of a group of community activists that launched the Philly Restaurant Server Relief Fund to raise money for servers with $400 per week in the weeks before federal aid checks are distributed. She helped raise more than $42,000—blowing past their original goal of $10,000—to support 19 servers.
Michael Wong teamed up with other Penn alums and entrepreneurs on Project SHIELDS, an all-volunteer movement based out of Pennovation Works to use 3-D printers to create NIH-approved face shields, 24 hours a day.
They’ve welcomed healthcare workers to Pennovation to try on the shields and give instant feedback, They’re currently producing 400 shields per day and plan to up that to 2,500 to 3,000.
Due Quach is the founding chair and co-executive director of the Collective Success Network (CSN) a Philly-based nonprofit that supports low-income, first-generation college students. In the days before students were evacuated from local campuses, Quach helped create community crowdsourcing forms to provide a way for folks to help students with moving costs, storage space, temporary housing and other needs.
They’ve been able to award more than $6,000 in financial aid grants to students, source $5,000 in community resources in the form of laptops, temporary housing and transportation, and sponsor rent on a storage facility for students.
Thursday, April 16, 5:30-7:30pm, virtually (at your desk, kitchen table or couch), free—register here for link to Crowdcast.