Manhattan Beach: Jewish Center, Kids Create Frontline Care Packs

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — To lift the spirits of medical professionals who are in the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus, members of the Jewish Community Center - Chabad South Bay [aka JCCMB since it started in Manhattan Beach] and students at its affiliate Academy of the Arts elementary school created care packages to help lift the spirits of these vital workers to help them in their life-saving work. The packages were delivered to Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers in Torrance and San Pedro this past week.

"The JCC reached out to our friends, including Skechers, JR286 and United Legwear, who responded generously by sponsoring merchandise for hundreds of frontline workers. The Academy students made hundreds of thank you cards [see a few of the heartfelt adorable cards below, at the end of the story] and then packed all the bags," said Rabbi Zalman Gordon, a rabbi at the JCC who sits on the South Bay Mission and Community Health Committee at Providence. "Frontline workers joyfully took a few minutes break from their work as they came out to thank members of the community delivering the packages for thinking of them during this challenging time."

Local hospitals and medical centers across Southern California have been buckling under the weight of the COVID-19 patient load and even "our local hospitals in the South Bay are facing a severe crisis, reaching their limits in rooms, beds, medical equipment, and most of all, limited staff who are working to exhaustion," noted Rabbi Zalman.

"We have a number of frontline nurses and doctors in our community who have reached out to share their challenges of the overwhelming work in the COVID wards," said Rabbi Yossi Mintz, director of the JCC. "We knew we had to do something."

"The problem is not only the workload but the number of deaths the nurses and doctors are experiencing in a regular shift. They have cared for patients for days or weeks only to lose them. It's devastating," said Rabbi Zalman.

The JCC community and leadership quickly reached out to sponsors and vendors. "People just felt the need to do something. Everyone responded immediately, sending whatever merchandise they could. The Academy of the Arts got involved, too," he said.

"We believe that education is not just about academics but about teaching values and communal responsibility," explained Dr. Debra Bogle, Academy principal. "The children and their families all got involved, making beautiful thank you cards, and spent a morning in school with masks and gloves packing all the care packages.

"The kids were just so excited to be helping the healthcare workers who are risking their lives to save others," said Dr. Bogle. "Helping people in need is not just something we talk about at the Academy, we live it and breathe it."

Hospital workers have been exceptionally grateful. Here are some of their responses.

We are overwhelmed with the generosity and support from you and the community. This is so much more than we were expecting and such a wonderful tool to recognize and thank our caregivers. Please share our utmost thanks to the children and all who played a role in making this happen for our caregivers. You are truly a gift to our ministry.
Sincerely,
Scott Ciesielski ,RN, MS Chief Nursing Officer
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers, Torrance and San Pedro

Please tell your team and the children thank you! Your kindness and compassion is what the world needs. The past year has been incredibly challenging. But what gives me immense hope are the sacred encounters that occur each day between the people of Providence, our community and those we serve. The work you and the children did exemplifies true kindness beautifully!
Garry Olney, Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers San Pedro and Torrance

"I work in the ER at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and I just want to thank you so much for the backpacks you brought us today. I think my favorite part was the personalized card with the picture of a student that came with each backpack."
Melody Imamura, RN ER Nurse
Torrance Memorial Medical Center

I am a nurse in the Emergency Department at Torrance Memorial and wanted to express my gratitude for the backpacks and gifts provided. The thought for us and acknowledging our work is appreciated. The special card and note from the kids meant so much. Thank you! Alexcie, RN ER Nurse
Torrance Memorial Medical Center