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From balloon installations to lit-up attractions, cities across the U.S. have found unique ways to show their appreciation for healthcare workers and first responders right now. But for those of us who are able to do more than clap, a new online platform connects you with a healthcare worker who might be in need of groceries, lunch, or help with an errand.
HospitalHero, created by San Francisco Bay Area residents Keith Weissglass and Andrew Cantino and built by a team of volunteers, directly connects healthcare workers with a person or business in their town who's willing to help them out.
“We knew healthcare workers would be hardest hit by the crisis, and we wanted them to have a way to get support regardless of where they lived,” Weissglass told Kron 4. “When we launched HospitalHero, more than 400 volunteers from across the country signed up in just one month."
The platform currently has more than 300 volunteers in 48 states and 5 different countries.
We are bringing meals 🌯🍲and smiles 😀to more #HospitalHeroes @StJohnsEpisHosp through @HospitalHeroApp; Connecting volunteers 🧚to #HealthcareWorkers. #NYPNU #NJNurses #NYCnurses #NUHW #nyccoronavirus #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/mZUQKNxXHE
— HospitalHero (@HospitalHeroApp) May 12, 2020
So how does it work? Healthcare workers request help by submitting a form through the website where they will be matched with local volunteers and businesses. The most common requests are for meals, not for themselves, but for their fellow hospital workers.
“These small acts of service can mean a lot to the doctors, nurses, and other hospital heroes who are making the real sacrifices to keep us safe,” Weissglass added.
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