The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created an incredible workload for all kinds of businesses, but especially non-profits like social workers, doctors, nurses, and elderly care professionals. To lighten their load, many people wonder what they should donate to help. Here are three great frontline caregiver donations you should consider giving, and why.
1. Phone Chargers
Front line workers often work long hours under stressful conditions. When they have a few minutes, they may reach out to family members, give updates, or handle essential activities like banking, planning, or communicating with other professionals.
Make their breaks easier by ensuring that they always have a way to charge their phone. Consider donating phone chargers with AC adapters and portable phone chargers. Offer a variety of different charging plugs, including varieties for Android and Apple devices.
2. Permanent Markers
Whether workers need to quickly label a specimen or make an important note, they will need a writing tool they can count on to mark any surface. Donate permanent markers to make labeling fast and easy. In addition to full-size varieties, offer shorter, more portable markers that frontline workers can carry in their pockets for easy access.
3. Stress Balls and Fidget Toys
Since it is difficult for some facilities to gauge how many customers they will serve that day, many facilities are overstaffed, which can create boring situations for workers who need to be there. During times when it is busy, workers can also become stressed quickly, which can make it harder to concentrate.
Donate stress balls and fidget toys to alleviate their anxiety, while also giving them something to play with when they are bored. Fidget spinners, switch cubes, and memory foam toys are easy to use and can be appreciated by just about anyone, so offer a variety of options. Try to select options that are small and portable enough to be used anywhere.
Before you take items over to your chosen business to give them away, keep in mind that many companies have donation forms you need to fill out. Some places, such as hospitals and elderly care centers, may even quarantine donations for a set period of time to ensure any present germs die before being used by people who may be in close contact with susceptible patients. To save yourself time and energy, call the business where you plan to donate, ask if they have a protocol for giving donations, and follow their rules.
