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As the recent surge in COVID-19 positivity rates causes more Illinoisans to seek medical attention, the Greater Chicago chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) is using its experience to support area healthcare workers this holiday season.
Using monetary donations to its “Feed the Frontline” program and food prepared by minority-owned local restaurants, Greater Chicago AREAA is making plans to feed Chicagoland hospital workers on Dec. 22. The deadline for donations is Dec. 21. Interested REALTORS® can make their contributions through PayPal or contact AREAA through email, [email protected].
History of giving
In March, not long after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, stories of overflowing hospitals, scarce medical supplies and healthcare workers putting in long hours became more frequent. AREAA Greater Chicago President Amy Duong Kim heard first-hand stories from family and clients in the medical field who felt burnt out and stretched thin, she said.
So after personally hosting a dinner for frontline workers at the hospital, Kim brought the idea of feeding frontline workers to the AREAA Board. With REALTOR® and restaurant owner Tuyen Nguyen, who is also the Immediate Past President of AREAA Greater Chicago, they convinced their fellow leaders that using Asian-owned restaurants struggling due to COVID-19 restrictions could have multiple positive impacts in the community. Not only could AREAA members show their appreciation for healthcare workers, but they could support restaurant employees who may otherwise have faced loss of their jobs or smaller paychecks.
The idea took off, spreading through REALTOR® client networks, local Asian communities and social media. AREAA Greater Chicago quickly raised money and received volunteer commitments to provide meals at multiple hospitals over many weeks.
Then, a different kind of tragedy struck. The killing of George Floyd in late May cast a spotlight on many of the systemic problems faced by Black Americans. AREAA Greater Chicago expanded its efforts to focus on providing meals from Black–owned restaurants to hospital workers throughout the Chicago area. The entire effort was a great success providing more than 200 meals to technicians, nurses and physicians at seven hospitals during the first wave of the pandemic. As the numbers trended down and the state began to open back up, the group was able to take a pause, assess and plan.
Time for a relaunch
In recent days and weeks though, Kim and other AREAA Greater Chicago leaders have been hearing from clients, family and friends who work in healthcare.
“They’re even more demoralized this time as the numbers spike,” Kim said in a recent interview. “REALTORS® can choose to work on holidays, but healthcare workers don’t get a choice. They’re working on Thanksgiving and other holidays while we are with our families.”
That’s when AREAA Greater Chicago, which typically helps local nonprofit organizations around the holidays, decided to organize “Feeding the Frontline,” with a focus on the holiday season. For more information, go to the AREAA Cares Facebook page.
