When the University of Michigan put out its first call for community help during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of individuals, families, businesses and organizations stepped forward.
That call is going out again, with more ways that community members can help health care teams at Michigan Medicine stay safe and well, help U-M researchers find answers to urgent questions about coronavirus and its effects, and help community organizations serve the most vulnerable.
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Some of those ways involve giving money or supplies, for those with the means to do so. Others involve simply giving time or sharing a social media post. But all of them can make a big difference during unprecedented times.
Ways to help include:
- Giving money to support Michigan Medicine’s COVID-19 response.
- Donating protective gear for Michigan Medicine front-line staff and patients.
- Donating nonperishable food to Food Gatherers to share with the community.
- Giving meals, or money to buy meals, to feed front-line Michigan Medicine staff.
- Giving time by running or walking a virtual 5K race to raise money for U-M, or sharing the call for donations.
- Donating blood to sustain a steady supply for patients at U-M and beyond. People who have recovered from COVID-19 can give blood plasma for potential use in current COVID-19 patients.
- Offering thanks to health care workers and researchers by posting wishes on social media using #HailtotheFrontLine, or submitting them online.
- Cheering home-bound older adults by creating cards or drawings to be delivered by the Meals on Wheels programs led by Michigan Medicine.
“Our incredible supporters have shown their true giving spirit in recent weeks, helping us meet the needs of our care teams, and patients and families across our communities,” said Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer of U-M Health System-Michigan Medicine.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of compassion and support which has been so inspiring, but not surprising. Thanks to all who have responded to our call, and those who intend to help us with their volunteer spirit and be part of our team in weeks to come.”
Full lists of needed and accepted items, online financial giving information, contact information and more can be found at victors.us/covid-19.
More details about each kind of giving
Money
The Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Philanthropic Fund will allow U-M to address pressing needs in supporting faculty and staff involved in health care and research.
Protective gear
Masks, N95 respirators, gloves, face shields, disposable gowns, cleaning supplies and other materials are collected at U-M’s drive-up donation drive, noon-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, at Dock 90 of 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, or by arranging other delivery methods by emailing ppe-donations@umich.edu.
Food for front-line staff
A new program allows state-licensed restaurants, stores, and food wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers to donate individually wrapped meals and prepackaged food items. Meals for a minimum of 50 people are ideal, and should not be family-style. People can work with local businesses to support these donations.
Food for community members in need
A donation drive to aid the Food Gatherers organization will continue noon-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will provide food and other necessities to community agencies serving people in need. The jump in unemployment and a new state program that expands home delivery of meals to anyone over 60 during the pandemic are increasing demand, even as usual sources of food donations are disrupted.
Time and energy
A new program called the #HailtotheFrontLine Virtual 5K allows anyone to ask friends and family to support U-M’s COVID-19 response if they run, walk or bike at least five kilometers outdoors or indoors by May 5. Registration begins soon at victors.us/covid-19. In addition to the Virtual 5K, individuals and groups will also be able to use a new U-M tool to make their own #HailtotheFrontLine fundraiser page and drive donations to the COVID-19 Philanthropic Fund.
Blood
Hospitals need a constant supply of blood to serve patients of all kinds. Meanwhile, people who have recovered from COVID-19 are now able to give blood plasma that could be used in studies to see if it can help severely ill COVID-19 patients. People who have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 can learn more about plasma donation at michmed.org/BvjKz. Blood donors can find upcoming drives at redcrossblood.org. Drives held in U-M buildings may require U-M employee or student identification for entry.
Thanks for the front line
A new campaign allows the public to share their thanks and wishes with U-M front-line staff and researchers, for free. Post messages, pictures and short videos on social media using the hashtag #HailtotheFrontLine, with the privacy settings on “public,” and a U-M team will share messages with staff. Or, upload items via the yellow button at uofmhealth.org/hail-to-the-front-line.
Cheer for homebound older adults
The Meals on Wheels services that feed older adults in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are based out of Michigan Medicine’s Community Health Services division. The program is collecting cards and drawings to be delivered with meals. They will be held for a time before delivery, in accordance with infection-prevention guidance. Send them to Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, 2025 Traverwood Drive, Suite F, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2228.
