When the pandemic hit care centers again, Heart2Heart volunteers responded to make sure our seniors continued to feel connected to the community.

Earlier this month, as the Omicron variant began to sweep across South Florida, many of our care centers once again closed their doors to visitors. Heart2Heart staff called to check on the care centers where our volunteers regularly visit. Almost half of those centers had closed to visitors, either because of an outbreak that affected their residents or out of caution.

Heart2Heart sprang into action! We gathered personal protective equipment we had on hand and packed up covid care packages for each of the care centers on lockdown. Then we put a call out to our faithful volunteer base for help delivering the packages to care centers in crisis.

Many of our volunteers who normally help lead events or make regular visits to care centers were eager to help. In total, 13 volunteers responded to our last-minute request for assistance. With only a few days of notice, they delivered covid care packages to 20 different centers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

The care centers were grateful. One activities director told us that they were out of KN95 masks when they went into lockdown. The masks, hand sanitizer and gloves we sent them helped keep their staff and residents safe.

We never know how the pandemic may change the landscape for our seniors. But Heart2Heart remains committed to connect to seniors in continually creative ways.

To find out how we reach seniors, click here for a list of our outreach opportunities.