COVID Heroes – Issue #2
With such widespread uncertainty and worry due to Coronavirus, It’s far too easy for it to be all-consuming. But there are so many uplifting stories from people and businesses responding with generosity and philanthropy, that it can help to temper the fears.
We know there’s a lot of people out there with itchy feet on how best to get involved with a fightback or a charitable response to COVID-19. So if you have ideas on how to fight this good fight, let us know!
This is our #2 Issue of COVID Heroes column: here, we mention those companies who’ve been putting their workforce, factories, and competences at service to help global countries deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. If you’re curious, you can take a look at our #1 Issue here.
As you know, there’s a number of organizations, both large and small that have started to actively raising funds or engaging with charitable concerns in the anti-COVID-19 mission, but this list is not only about money: Beem is focusing its attention on how companies are using their own services, infrastructure, products, equipment, and expertise to fight the pandemic and help their employees and customers get through this crisis.
So, who’s been put in place some inspirational actions over the past week? Let’s dive into it!
Nissan
Beem has been partnering with Nissan for many years now, and we couldn’t be more proud of this relationship. These days, Nissan is producing thousands of protective visors at its plant on Wearside for NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of individual visor parts are being sorted and then packed in sets of 125: more than 77,000 visors are expected to be sent out this week, rising to 100,000 from next week!
As much as in the UK, Nissan is also providing support to healthcare workers all around the Globe: as of last week, partnering up with QEV Technologies, Nissan has started producing and distributing respirators, soon to be rolled out across intensive care units in emerging countries.
It’s truly amazing to see companies merge their knowledge and talent in order to provide help for those in need!
Intuit
Intuit launched Aid Assist, a free website and interactive tool to help small business owners and the self-employed navigate their eligibility for coronavirus aid and relief under the CARES Act. The tool helps determine eligibility for federal programs, the amount, and how much of that loan can be forgiven.
For employees, Intuit instituted a temporary time-off benefit for those whose jobs have been impacted by the Coronavirus, as well as those who care for family members impacted by closures. Refreshing to see!
Caterpillar
Founded in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has for a long time contributed to helping improve the lives of people around the world. These days, it’s been partnering with organizations to provide resources to hospitals, medical staff, and patients, as well as enabling online STEM and coding education for youth impacted by school closures.
Their financial division, Cat Financial, is also assisting customers who are struggling with making payments during this time. A real 360 degrees effort here!
Zappos
What is Zappos’ core competency? Arguably, selling shoes and apparel. But that’s not how they view themselves. Rather, they think of themselves as a customer service company, first and foremost. So in the face of COVID-19, they have transformed their customer support operation into a kind of “ask me anything” resource.
If you just want someone to talk to, about anything, they’d love to connect with you. No purchase required! Here’s the link for more info and the phone number. Just great!
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate is mobilizing five of its manufacturing plants around the world to produce and donate 25 million specially-made soap bars packaged with instructions on proper handwashing techniques (which we’re sure will come handy even when the virus is gone).
The company is also donating $20 million in health and hygiene products to community-based relief organizations for those struggling financially around the world and promoting the WHO #SafeHands Challenge across various media platforms!
Target
Target is investing more than $300 million in added wages, a new paid leave program, back-up child care, bonus payouts, and relief fund contributions. You can read all about it here.
The company is also reserving the first hour of shopping each Tuesday and Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns. Along with this, Target is allowing the use of its parking lots for coronavirus testing sites!
Bonus Track
A group of New Yorkers has launched a challenge called #InMyScrubs to raise money to send meals from local restaurants to feed health care workers at critical-need hospitals. While this isn’t a tech initiative, it is heartwarming! The idea is to post pictures of yourself on Instagram in-home “scrubs” like sweatpants and athleisure as an act of solidarity with those in their hospital scrubs. The challenge has raised nearly $68,000 so far!
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If you want to feature in our regular update or would like to nominate a colleague or company for being a hero during this crisis, send us a note and a short blurb about what they have achieved and some details of their heroism during COVID-19 and we’ll reach back out for some more info! 😀
You can send your nominations to hey@wearebeem.com and we’ll be back in touch to hear your story!
Learn about our COVID Helping Hand Packages