Partnerships help many cope with pandemic crisis

By
Gloria Burns
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Partnerships help many cope with pandemic crisis
Coral Gables Hospital staff members try on recently donated masks sewn on behalf of GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club to thank front-line workers. Pictured donning their masks are Patricia Morcillo, Medical Staff Coordinator, (left) with Paula Rivas, Medical Staff Director.

The coronavirus pandemic has created a great need.

Case in point is the critical shortage of blood donations. Helping address that need, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club and Coral Gables Rotary Club are teaming up to conduct blood drives every eight weeks or so already having held a successful drive several weeks ago. The second drive will be on Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Innovative Transfusion Medicine will have its buses parked by the Coral Gables Woman’s Clubhouse at 1009 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. To avoid waits, donors are now asked to set up a time slot to donate with Theresa Gilmore at 305-812-1844 or send email to theresagilmoreap@att.net. Donors will receive at no charge antibody testing, mini physical and cholesterol test, snacks, and a chance for some Apple product giveaways. Call now to reserve your time slot.

Speaking of partnerships, the Florida Dairy Farmers partnered with Miami Children’s Museum to do a unique event for families during these hot summer days. Although its doors are closed for now, the museum reached out to the public to celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a contact-less drive-through Ice Cream Giveaway.

Families were able to take a drive to the museum to celebrate National Ice Cream Day and got to enjoy a sweet treat courtesy of Florida Dairy Farmers and Blue Bell Ice Cream. Blue Bell gave out ice cream while Florida Dairy Farmers handed our a goodie bag to each family. This drive-through event was free to the public and provided a fun reason to get out of the house while following safety protocols. Florida Milk has even shared some great ice cream recipes such as Avocado Ice Cream and more. Check out these links for some fun recipes to make with your family at
www.floridamilk.com/in-the-kitchen/recipes/desserts/avocado-chocolate-ice-cream.stml and www.floridamilk.com/in-the-kitchen/recipes/desserts/funfetti-ice-cream-sandwiches.stml.

Kudos go out to everyone volunteering for the numerous food distribution events around town. This is not an easy job. It’s hot and tiring and can even be very wet when you get a rain storm, but, it also is very rewarding. Just ask the many volunteers many of whom are out there several times a week at different sites.

Coral Gables Hospital healthcare workers were once again gifted with handmade face masks made by this writer on behalf of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club. It was such fun to see so many wearing them thanks to Tenet’s Patty Vila who posted the most recent ones online bringing the total donated to that hospital at 76 and totaling more than 325 to the broader community to show appreciation for our front line workers.

Thanks to all who donated $10 for a mask to help underwrite the cost of supplies and to people like Joan Reitsma and her sister Barbara for material and to all those who are donated T-shirts for the ties. It’s been a community effort and kept this writer home safe and off the streets. Lots of new mask fabrics are now available thanks to so many great friends and donors. For every $10 mask order, two masks are donated to our front-line workers. It is such a blessing being able to share positive news with my readers. Thank you all for making a difference.

Until next time, keep making each day count and stay safe.

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Gloria Burns
A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.

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