How We Can Support Our Frontline Workers Every day, men and women are risking their lives as they work on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Our healthcare professionals, first responders, grocery workers, government officials, warehouse workers, and many others are working hard to keep our society running. While frontline workers are supporting our community, we want to help with their needs and let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice. Here are a few ways we can come together to support our frontline workers and make a difference in our community. Opportunities to Support Our Frontline Workers Adopt a Hospital There are many needs in our communities right now as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a church community, we want to do our part in serving our communities well, so we have decided to come around a few local hospitals to support our frontline workers. We want to send a message of appreciation for the great work they are doing every day, even to the point of putting their own lives in danger. We simply want to make it a bit easier to fuel themselves and their families. Currently, we have partnered with five local hospitals: Children’s Health Plano/Dallas, Medical City McKinney, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Check out these three simple ways we can show our appreciation for our healthcare professionals. Ready-To-Eat Meals Ready-to-eat meals will be delivered to hospital personnel for select shifts and departments by local restaurants at least once a week. These meals will be purchased through Chase Oaks Church’s funds. It’s also a great way to support local restaurants. If you would like to participate by funding these meals, you can give to the Local Outreach Fund. Groceries-To-Go-Boxes Groceries-to-go boxes will be distributed twice a week to hospital personnel for select shifts and departments to help them with meal planning. Individuals, families, or groups from Chase Oaks’ campuses will purchase these grocery items and drop them off at a local campus. Grocery items change weekly. Sometimes, the lists include breakfast items only or themed items such as Italian Night. We want to provide our frontline workers with a variety of meals! For more details about times, locations, and grocery items, check out our website. Cards of Appreciation Cards of appreciation from Chase Oakers will be included in each box of food that goes home with the hospital employees. We encourage everyone to simply write a note of thanks and/or prayer with available stationary in their house and include it in the grocery-to-go boxes. Let’s show our frontline workers how much they are loved and appreciated! A little dose of encouragement can go a long way in today’s crisis. Childcare at the YMCA While the majority of us are now required to work from home, there are essential personnel who are risking their health and that of their families to keep our society running. School closures, especially, have disrupted all of our routines, and childcare is both costly and logistically demanding. So, we are excited to announce our new partnership with DFW-area YMCAs to provide free childcare for essential workers throughout the Metroplex while we shelter in place. To help with operating costs, we gave an initial gift of $100,000 to the YMCA’s Emergency Child Care Program. We will continue to support the YMCA’s program by covering childcare costs for essential workers who need it. The YMCA’s childcare program is for children of those who work as healthcare professionals and in the grocery and logistics industries as well as other essential workers who must continue to work during this challenging time. It will be provided for children ages 5-12 years. To learn more about our partnership with the YMCA, check out our website. Thank you to all of the frontline workers who are working hard to keep us safe and fed. You are heroes, and we appreciate the personal sacrifice you and your families are making for us all. And thank you to everyone who has joined our efforts to support our frontline workers during this crucial time! Get creative with your family and friends to think of other ways we can support our frontline workers together. This season is filled with opportunity to be here for good in our community!