Tuesday April 7, 2020 ~ LANGFORD
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Health care workers are on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of their attention to local impacts of COVID-19 on the entire community, the City of Langford is supporting the ‘Langford Cares’ fundraising campaign.
Together with United Way Greater Victoria, the initiative will provide free hotel accommodation to frontline healthcare workers living in the West Shore who would like to take advantage of alternative accommodation away from their family.
While of course these workers dearly miss their families under such circumstances, the physical distancing of not being in the family home provides that added protection of not possibly exposing family members to the virus that might be acquired by health care workers in hospitals and other care settings.
As decided at their April 6 City of Langford council meeting, Mayor and Council decided that the City will contribute up to $20,000 to this program by way of matching funds being raised by the United Way Greater Victoria for this purpose.
Individuals and businesses in the west shore who wish to ‘give back’ to their community in this way are encouraged to contribute.
“Our frontline healthcare workers are our heroes right now and we must support them in anyway we can,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young.
“Frontline workers, especially those working at our hospitals are working long hours fighting the pandemic,” says Young. “They need somewhere comfortable, safe and quiet to get a proper night’s rest after a long day. The City of Langford is showing our support and hope that anyone who is able can also donate to this campaign.”
“We are inspired by this kind of neighbourhood response to the COVID-19 pandemic and proud to be part of it,” said Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way Greater Victoria. “We have a strong donor base on the West Shore, and fund a number of social service organizations.”
The Langford Cares campaign is part of United Way’s Local Love in a Global Crisis initiative. The city says that this fundraising initiative is responding to the evolving needs of the community including providing help for isolated seniors, mental health and addictions support, social service sector support, and accommodation for essential service workers.
To donate to the Langford Cares campaign, go to https://uwgv.ca/donatecovid19westshore/
Front-line healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, hospital employees and paramedics, as well as RCMP officers, wanting to take advantage of alternative accommodation should send a request directly to langfordcares@langford.ca. Applicants can expect a response within 24 hours.
==== RELATED:
Langford Council firms up their COVID-19 budget and bylaws (West Shore Voice News / April 7, 2020)