Seventeen-year-old Zachary Wilkins creates Remedy Ribbons to
give back to the healthcare workers in New Orleans, to ensure support for their
well-being.
The display of "Remedy" Ribbons is placed throughout the city
to recognize and give appreciation to those working in the medical field during
the pandemic. The white ribbons will be tied to poles or trees in surrounding
areas near hospitals, nursing homes, and other areas specifically chosen by
donors.
"Remedy Ribbons is our way of giving the healthcare workers
our support while boosting morale around the greater New Orleans healthcare
community. Our initial program focuses on raising money for a recovery fund
that will issue grants to promote mental wellness support for healthcare
providers," Wilkins said.
Getting involved is very simple. One can register to
volunteer to tie ribbons, deliver ribbons, or develop research with the team at
remedyribbons.org.
Remedy Ribbons is also working with two other nonprofit organizations: Sister
Hearts, Inc. and Greater New Orleans Foundation. Both of these New Orleans
organizations strive to strengthen New Orleans by providing support for the
community on the foundation of good morals.
"Healthcare workers are putting themselves at risk every day
fighting the 2020 global pandemic. As COVID-19 develops and continues to
spread around our community, healthcare workers are tasked with the life-altering
challenge of treating the immense number of patients suffering from the virus,
of which many are not surviving. Each day, healthcare workers experience more
hardships as the virus takes more people right from underneath them, and they
leave the hospitals in more disarray and trauma than when they entered it," Wilkins
said.
As medical personnel put their lives at risk, keeping strong
mental health is important. With a mission to help fund mental health programs
with the help of a supportive community, Remedy Ribbons aim to serve as a
remedy for the brave frontline workers here in our city.
