The global outbreak of COVID-19 has been rapidly evolving in the past few days. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. increased to more than 163, 000, with more than 3,000 deaths. As the pandemic continues to spread, the greater Houston region has seen a rapid growth in new cases, and faces a shortage of medical supplies needed to fight the coronavirus.
On March 21, 2020, to support the health care workers and first responders on the frontlines, the Pearland Chinese Association, the Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States (AYLUS) Pearland Chapter, and the Hua Xia Chinese School Pearland Campus, decided to raise funds to collect the most-needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hygiene supplies. This “COVID-19 Prevention and Love for the Community” initiative aims to encourage community members to work together and donate needed supplies to local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, police department and fire department.
Within a week, the local Chinese community donated more than $12,000, including funds donated from the Pearland Chinese Association’s limited operation fund. Members of AYLUS Pearland, a youth volunteer group, donated more than $3,000 within just three days. Many high school students donated money from their own savings or allowance. A young boy used his “lucky money” received in red envelopes during the Chinese New Year to purchase and donate 200 protective suits.
“The students learned from the news that medical supplies are in severe shortage,” said Carol Li, a Pearland ISD mom and AYLUS Pearland parent advisor. “We hope our efforts can help the fight against the pandemic in a small but meaningful way.”
In addition, volunteers have been dedicated to communicate with medical workers and first responders through phone calls and social media in order to coordinate the donation drop-offs. To place orders for masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and protective suits that are on high demand, volunteers spent countless hours online to find reliable sources.
To collect more FDA-approved N95 masks to support the healthcare workers, AYLUS Pearland launched an activity to exchange two surgical masks for one N95 mask. However, a few donors declined the offer, and decided to just donate their N95 masks that were either self-purchased or sent to them by their relatives abroad.
Ultimately, the community’s hard work paid off. The plethora of donated items were delivered to the City of Pearland, and medical staff at CHI St. Luke’s Health Anesthesiology Department, Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital, Baylor St. Luke’s Emergency Center-Pearland, Tuscany Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Cecil Barcelo, administrator at Tuscany Village Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation said, “We thank AYLUS Pearland and the Pearland Chinese Association for the timely and generous aid. Their love and effort made us feel that we are not fighting alone.”
“We are searching various methods to gain the supplies we need, so please let everyone know how much we appreciate all the help from the local Chinese community,” said Raquel Garza from the City of Pearland’s Fire Department.
“Local residents have shown an extraordinary amount of compassion towards the community in the last few weeks,” said Xiaoling Liu, president of the Pearland Chinese Association. “Not only has the initiative helped the local community, it has also given the residents an opportunity to come together and foster hope during a difficult time. People share their support and love they have for each other. Together, we can fight the virus.”
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