Nurses. Doctors. Grocery store employees. Delivery drivers. Warehouse workers. First responders. 211 operators. Foodbank volunteers. There are so many people who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. They continue to help keep our community safe and the world running. To honor and celebrate their ongoing sacrifice, let’s say thank you!
Join United Way of Central Florida on May 5 as we rally our entire community to say thank you to the essential workers who have tirelessly and bravely continued to do their jobs. Our effort will be one part of a bigger day of giving and unity called #GivingTuesdayNow.
Every year people come together on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for #GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement. In response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, we are joining nonprofits and individual people around the world in a special #GivingTuesdayNow event.
Let’s show the world that we are all united in support of our frontline workers!
8 Ways to Say Thank You
There are many ways to say thank you. Here are just a couple of our ideas for what you can do:
1. Make a sign for your window or front yard
Make someone’s commute to work brighter by posting a sign in your window or front yard telling frontline workers how much they mean to our community. This is a great project for kids!
2. Be kind
Essential workers who are keeping grocery, convenience and pharmacy stores open see large groups of people every day. When you must shop at one of these stores, be respectful of the people working there. Tell them thank you, wear a protective mask, keep your distance from employees and be kind to team members and other customers. These small acts can help workers feel appreciated and safer at their jobs.
3. Share a message on social media
As we all keep our physical distance, connecting online has become even more important. Using social media is a great way to thank frontline workers. You can tag people you know or send a general message using the hashtags #InThisTogether, #COVIDHeroes or #GivingTuesdayNow. On May 5, you can also reshare posts from our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn channels.
4. Run errands or make a meal for the frontline workers in your area
Even if you don’t personally know someone who is working on the frontlines, there are ways to help. Start by checking your neighborhood Facebook or Next Doors pages and offering assistance, or get in contact with your local community centers. By finding out the needs of individual frontline workers in your area, you can help by doing whatever will be most impactful—perhaps picking up the extra supplies they need at the grocery store, or dropping off a meal for them to express your appreciation. Many national and local businesses are delivering meals to support frontline workers, so that may also be an option in your area.
5. Email Congress
Show frontline workers you appreciate their work by helping them get the support they need. During this time of uncertainty and economic crisis, many people, including those still working, need a boost to make ends meet. Vital services like 211, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can provide relief for frontline workers–and others–in need. You can ask your representative to increase funding for these services. Use this form to email your member of Congress.
6. Join a daily salute
Across the world, many communities are now doing a daily salute to frontline workers by lighting candles, applauding, cheering or sounding horns at a certain time of day. Check neighborhood Facebook groups, posts on Next Door and local newspapers to find one that is happening in your neighborhood.
7. Pledge your support to organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis
United Way is working across the globe to help the people impacted most by COVID-19. Frontline workers are often part of the populations that nonprofits serve in times of crisis. They may be the very people who need help with rent or utilities or access to healthy food and affordable medication. A donation to the United Community Relief Fund allows us reach more people and help them stay in their homes, stock their pantries, and protect their lives and livelihoods during this time of crisis.
8. Stay at home
The most important thing you can do to thank frontline workers is to stay home. When we all stay home, we limit the spread of COVID-19. So, limit outings to essential trips to the grocery store, medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, walking pets and helping the vulnerable. When outside, use social distancing to stay at least six feet away from others and wear a mask when appropriate.
