Whatcom County offers thanks to coronavirus first responders and health care workers
Whatcom County businesses and community members are thanking the men and women on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic with free food and services.
First responders and health care workers can now take advantage of these benefits:
K’UL Chocolate
The Bellingham chocolate company K’UL has created a limited-edition chocolate bar with blueberries called Berry Grateful to honor first responders. The company is donating 2,000 chocolate bars to hospitals around the country and also providing others the same opportunity to donate through its website.
Riveters Collective
State Rep. Sharon Shewmake, D.-Whatcom County, recently partnered with Riveters Collective, a local civic action group, to raise money to feed frontline workers battling the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The original goal of the fundraiser was to raise $600, which was quickly shattered. The fundraiser has now well surpassed its third goal of hitting $3,000, with over $5,100. Shewmake originally created the fundraiser to buy lunch for employees at St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham.
“In a normal year, we’d be out knocking on doors to hear from voters, but this isn’t a normal year,” said Shewmake in a press release. “Campaigns are good at organizing volunteers and asking for donations, so during the crisis, we shifted from asking for votes to connecting people who want to help with those who need help. Our frontline workers who are battling the crisis don’t have time to organize volunteers or donations, but my team does.”
With the extra funds available, Shewmake has shared the generosity with many other locations. In addition to a second floor at the hospital, lunches were provided to staff at the Shuksan Healthcare Center, Christian Health Care Center in Lynden and the Whatcom Transportation Authority.
“Just the idea that the community would do this for our drivers made me tear up,” Mary Anderson, a Transit Planner at WTA, said in the release. “They are out there every day.”
The partnership between Shewmake and the collective arranged for local businesses to cook and deliver the food to workers on the frontline. Good to Go Meat Pies in Everson provided the first 100 meals for hospital workers. Calypso Kitchen in Bellingham prepared 120 meals for WTA employees.
“With so many businesses having to close, it is amazing to be able to work with local farmers to make healthy food and feed the hardworking medical staff that put themselves on the line to take care of others,” Holly Bevan-Bumford, the owner of Good to Go Meat Pies, said in the release.
Shewmake and her team have made a promise to continue delivering meals to frontline workers as long as people continue donating.
“Every dollar raised by the effort goes toward purchasing lunch for frontline workers,” the release stated.
If you have any suggestions or would like to volunteer, contact Shewmake at sharon@sharon4whatcom.com.
Whatcom Family YMCA
Despite closing on March 16 due to the coronavirus, the YMCA in Whatcom County is helping provide child care, healthy meals and fitness instruction to the community.
The Y had to suspend after-school programs at 21 schools due to the outbreak. However, school-age childcare is still being offered for essential workers.
In collaboration with PeaceHealth, the Bellingham and Ferndale school districts, and the Whatcom County Health Department, the Y is operating two school sites with all-day care for students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Essential workers include first responders, medical employees, or grocery and pharmacy staff.
Both sites are operating within health guidelines including practicing social distancing and performing temperature checks.
With no children to transport in the YMCA vans, the drivers have found a new way to help by delivering food boxes to children. This effort ensures that children have healthy meals available to them that would typically be provided during a normal school day.
The YMCA partnered with Whatcom Unified Command, the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County, and the Bellingham Food Bank to deliver food across the county to many children.
Finally, children and essential workers aren’t the only groups taking advantage of the services being offered by the Y. Senior citizens can get up and move with fitness classes being provided virtually.
Using the Zoom meeting app, classes are taught Monday through Friday for 30 minutes to stimulate seniors in isolation missing out on their normal fitness classes at the Y. The classes are being taught by Whatcom Family YMCA instructors who are available to chat with the seniors following instruction.
The Y has also posted links on their website of more workouts that can be done by seniors, adults and children. In addition, an “Active Older Adult E-newsletter” is also being offered with plenty of tips on how to stay active in these challenging times.
Barron Heating & Air Conditioning
If you are a first responder who needs work done to your heating and air conditioner, Barron Heating & Air Conditioning will help.
Barron in Ferndale is providing free heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance service through the end of May to all first responders in the Northwest Washington service territory.
“Our Barron Heating family wants to thank all our medical professionals and first responders for the heroics they perform day in and day out,” said owner John Barron in a press release. “Our hearts go out to you. You are selfless champions.”
During your tune-up service, Barron is observing safety first, contact-free protocols while examining air filters “to ensure the best possible indoor air quality,” according to the release.
To book an appointment, Barron can be reached at 360-386-7990.
BP offers fuel discounts
For frontline workers looking for a boost to start their workday, BP wants to help.
Across the United States, BP is offering free coffee and discounts on fuel to all first responders. Doctors, nurses and hospital workers can take advantage of these benefits by being verified through ID.me, a digital identity verification system.
AmPm stores throughout the nation are offering free coffee, fountain drinks, hot dogs, cookies and bottled water to first responders. Discounted meal bundles are also being offered to those in need.
For those responders who need to fill up on gas to or from work, BP and Amoco gas stations are offering a discount of 50 cents per gallon to all verified first responders.
Additional information about the discounts can be found online at bp.com/localheroes.
Costco gives nod to first responders
Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to members who are healthcare workers and first responders such as police officers and firefighters.
Healthcare workers and first responders who present a Costco membership card and official identification of their role, will be allowed to move to the front of any line to enter the warehouse.
Bellingham Nissan
Bellingham Nissan at 1516 Iowa St. is offering free oil changes for first responders and medical personnel.
If you live or work in Whatcom County, you can claim your free lube oil filter change with inspection. Schedule an appointment by calling the service department at 360-922-7856 or booking online at https://www.bellinghamnissan.com/ServiceApptForm. Upon arrival, you must show your ID badge or further proof that you are a first responder listed by the governor’s Stay Home Stay Healthy proclamation.
Bayview Pest Control
On Friday, April 3, Bayview Pest Control partnered with Tacos El Tule to serve 100 free burritos to first responders and medical professionals.
The burritos may have gone quickly, but the benefits for those on the front lines remain.
Until Tuesday, April 14, Bayview is offering a deal for those in need of pest control. First responders are being offered up to $150 in discounts on services.
Bayview Pest Control can be reached by phone at 360-746-8330 or by email at Info@BayviewPestControl.com.
Vitality Bowls
Vitality Bowls, located at Barkley Village, is offering free smoothies for those fighting on the front lines. On Thursday, April 2, the business had 500 smoothies they were looking to distribute.
Health care professionals and first responders can drop in to pick up smoothies for their entire department, not just for themselves. Vitality Bowls just asks the employee arrive in a work vehicle or with a badge.
Vitality Bowls has had 473 smoothies donated by customers for first responders and is matching every one purchased.
Vitality Bowls will also be holding two events next week for first responders that were donated by local businesses.
On Tuesday, April 7, Emergency Reporting will distribute $200 worth of smoothies that will be matched by Vitality Bowls.
Three days later on Friday, April 10, Country Financial has started an open tab of $1,500 for first responders to not only enjoy a free smoothie, but also a meal, including medium acai bowl or panini and smoothie combo. Jeff Savage of Country Financial said anything purchased above $1,500 he will pay for himself.
Vitality Bowls is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
American Automobile Association
AAA is offering free emergency roadside service for those working the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state and north Idaho.
The company wants to ensure that these workers do not have any troubles on the roads to and from the workplace and home.
“Our healthcare workers and first responders are risking everything for our community right now,” said AAA Washington President & CEO Kirk Nelson in a news release. “The last thing they need is to have to deal with car troubles. AAA wants to do our part to make sure they are taken care of if a breakdown occurs.”
Health care workers and first responders are encouraged to call 800-AAA-HELP 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive emergency road services.
Neighbors also helping
“Project ‘Hearts for Healthcare workers’ Bellingham WA” Facebook group is helping first responders battling the coronavirus outbreak.
Children at the Bellingham Christian Schools have created a challenge to create and distribute red hearts to healthcare workers so they “will know how thankful we (are) for them,” according to their Facebook page.
The contact number to reach Hearts for Healthcare workers is 360-815-1874.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published April 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
