As the coronavirus outbreak upends our daily lives, many local businesses are giving back to support the community and you can, too. Find out how you can help, from near or far, and how businesses are supporting the community during this difficult time.
How You Can Help
Donate to Cape Regional Health System
Cape Regional Health System is now collecting medical masks and protective gowns from community partners. To drop off masks and protective gowns, please call Ray Wisniewski at 609-463-2289 or Tom Piratzky at 609-463-4042 to arrange drop off at the medical center. For a tutorial on how to sew a medical face mask, visit bit.ly/Sew-Masks.
Donate Items to the Cape May County Zoo
For anyone who would like to support the zoo, the Cape May County Zoo needs your help! The zoo is collecting items for zoo enrichment and daily tasks during the COVID-19 crisis, most of which are household items and relativelty inexpensive. Some of the items they are collecting include bird toys, wooden blocks, paper lunch bags, non-toxic paint, cardboard egg cartons, newspaper, disinfectant wipes, aluminum foil, and more. For a full list of wish list items and a link to their Amazon wish list, please visit cmczoo.com.
Support Local Businesses
Many local businesses are unable to open due and already seeing the financial burden because of the current restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. If feasible, here are a few ways you can support businesses in our area at this time, whether they are open or closed.
- Order takeout or delivery from the restaurants that are still open. Businesses are doing everything they can to ensure they are working in safe, clean environments to provide meals for their customers. For this week’s specials, check the ads in the Do The Shore section .
- Buy gift cards or tickets to be used at a later date from some of your favorite businesses. Buying tickets or gift cards allow businesses to stay up and running even without visitors. Plus, you will have something to look forward to once everything returns to normal.
- Follow businesses on social media to receive updates about store openings, website inventory, and sales. If you want to shop now, many e-commerce sites are still up and running. Some businesses are even posting sale items on their Instagram stories, so don’t miss out!
For more information on what is open, visit the Herald’s Open Business Directory at capemaycountyherald.com/open-for-business.
How Businesses Are Giving Back
Many Businesses and Individuals Continue to Donate Supplies to Cape Regional
After reaching out to the community for help, Cape Regional was overwhelmed with generous gifts of food for healthcare workers, medical supplies, homemade masks from businesses and individuals, and more! The Cape May County community has come together in this time of need and the public’s support during this health emergency is so encouraging. Cape Regional has thanked everyone for their help on their Facebook page @CapeRegionalHealthSystem. To find a full list of businesses and individuals who donated supplies, please visit their Facebook or bit.ly/CapeRegionalThanks.
The Chamber of Commerce, the City of Cape May & Community Partners Create #CapeMayStrong
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, the City of Cape May, and Cape May Community Partners have come together to create #CapeMayStrong. Their mission is to provide support and guidance to all local residents, seasonal homeowners, businesses, and visitors in Cape May, while keeping our community informed as we all navigate the evolving COVID-19 situation. For more information, visit capemaystrong.com.
The Wildwood Civic Club Gives Back to Local Groups & Organizations
With respect for the COVID-19 lockdown and acknowledging that we all must push-on, The Wildwood Civic Club announced the following gifts of financial and material donations to the following groups and organizations: CARA; Lazarus House; Cape May Regional Hospital units; Cape May Regional Hospital Food Bank; Wildwood “Little Warriors HAS” for students; Cape May County Zoo; and the John Walter Band. The Wildwood Civic Club is a non-profit association driven to provide opportunities for education, leadership training and community service through participation and helping make a difference in the lives of others, one project at a time. For more information about the Wildwood Civic Club, contact Elaine Winter at (609) 846-1209.