MESA, Ariz. — An East Valley flight attendant is making a difference for healthcare workers, even though she’s not on the front lines of COVID-19.
Rebecca Ballard said she's already raised hundreds of dollars in food donations in just a matter of days.
It all started about 10 days ago when Ballard delivered coffee to her sister, who's a nurse.
“(She) just seemed overwhelmed and stressed and panicked, because there’s a lot of stuff happening really fast," Ballard said.
So as soon as she got home from the delivery, she took to social media.
“I had this need, I felt like I needed to reach out and do more," Ballard said.
She said she's raised money through Facebook, Venmo and Cash App to get food donations for hospital staff. And it has been a big success.
“The nurses are so thankful," Ballard said. "I get text messages from them later of pictures.”
Ballard said since March 30, she’s made 16 deliveries to the outside of 10 different Valley hospitals. Venmo donations top more than $900. Original ChopShop has donated more than 40 meals so far, with even more scheduled.
"It's really awesome that we’re able to provide these meals to them," she said. "They’re the angels here.”
Ballard, a flight attendant who continues to watch more flights get canceled by the day, said even with the tough moments, she couldn't just sit around.
“What I’m doing is nothing compared to what they’re doing," she said. "And they’re putting their health and their safety at risk, and their families' when they go home after work."
So Ballard encourages everyone to choose light.
“We have to choose to be the good in the world, the positive, the light and not focus on the dark, and there’s a lot of dark right now," she said. "So it’s our responsibility to provide that light."
To find out more about how to help Rebecca donate meals to Valley healthcare professionals, click here.
