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Log Your #Volunteer15 Community Service Hours
by Chris Mitchell – Washington University in St. Louis, Assistant AD for Communications
CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee Chair
When it involves a family member, it hits home.
That's the case for Illinois Wesleyan University Director of Athletic Communications
Katie Gonzales.
Gonzales, who is completing her first season at IWU after four years at Eastern Michigan University, knew she had to do something when her wife Catherine came home from a day of work without a mask at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Ill.
Catherine, who is in her first year of residency at SIU, lost her mask at work and there was none available as a replacement. The shortage left her along with several of her co-residents without much-needed equipment.
Gonzales started thinking – how can I make sure my wife and her colleagues have the protection they need each day at work?
“This is a nationwide problem and I wanted to help,” she said. “I was inspired by our friends and family who scoured their garages, basements, and tool boxes when they heard about Catherine’s current situation. Within three days, we had eight N95 masks mailed to us from friends and family in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.”
Gonzales reached out to the CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee as a potential way for CoSIDA to help in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Just taking time to look around your house could help those on the frontlines,” Gonzales added.
That’s where we are leaning on our membership for help.
Given the lack of supplies around the country, we're asking members of CoSIDA to help with a drive to donate supplies to local hospitals.
What are we looking for?
- N95 masks
- Disinfectant
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Donations to purchase products
We're recommending CoSIDA members to help with these contributions either by donating an extra product you might already have or by purchasing at a local store.
“This is another way our membership can help make a contribution and give back in their local community,” Mitchell said.
More details will be coming soon about a virtual 5K run/2-mile walk and community service opportunity to replace what was planned for Las Vegas. In addition, we're encouraging our membership to consider thinking about our
#Volunteer15 program during these trying times.
Ways to Volunteer during COVID-19
For more information or if you would like to help out, please contact Mitchell or Gonzales.
Chris Mitchell
Assistant AD for Communications
Washington University in St. Louis
(618) 560-9280
mitchell@wustl.edu
Katie Gonzales
Director of Athletic Communications
Illinois Wesleyan University
(773) 512-6079
kgonzal1@iwu.edu