Memphis kindness live blog, April 9: Easter Bunny deemed essential in Collierville
The Easter Bunny has been named an essential employee in Collierville. The proclomation was read by Mayor Stan Joyner as he was accompanied by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen this afternoon. (Courtesy of the Town of Collierville)
As we navigate through this difficult time of dealing with the coronavirus, it is important to capture those instances where Memphians are coming together for each other. Those acts of kindness, generous moments and just feel-good instances happening all around us. Our reporters will be out looking for these. We also want to hear from you. If you have a nomination for our Memphis Kindness blog, email us at memphiskindness@dailymemphian.com. Thank you for reading. — Ronnie Ramos, executive editor Editor’s Note: The Daily Memphian is making our coronavirus coverage accessible to all readers — no subscription needed. Our journalists continue to work around the clock to provide you with the extensive coverage you need; if you can subscribe, please do.
April 09, 2020
Collierville allowing Easter Bunny to work over holiday weekend
Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner said a seasonal worker’s job is crucial this weekend.
A mayoral proclamation Thursday afternoon named the Easter Bunny an essential employee.
#Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner proclaims the Easter Bunny as an essential worker following proper health protocols such as "leaving eggs and treats in baskets after thoroughly washing his paws."
— Town of Collierville (@ColliervilleGov) April 9, 2020
We hope you have a happy and #SafeAtHome holiday weekend! ?? pic.twitter.com/j8g5KdLnj5
“Whereas, there is a special visitor this time of year who leaves surprises in homes to celebrate spring and new life, and whereas I’m pleased to announce the Easter Bunny is an essential worker and is given full authority to hop around through town.”
He may leave treats in Easter baskets “after thoroughly washing his paws,” according to Joyner’s proclamation.
The mayor presented the proclamation to the Easter Bunny Thursday afternoon outside Town Hall.
Germantown library closed, encourages letter writing
Germantown Community Library is closed to the public, but it has not stopped aiming to achieve its goals.
As part of its strategic plan, the library is asking residents to show love by writing to local “heroes.” It’s up tp residents to choose to whom and how often to send letters, but the hope is residents will send at least one to each address provided once a month. Parents are recommended to supervise children who may participate.
Participants do not need to sign up or register. Those who need help may contact Library Director Daniel Page by calling 870-405-1042 or emailing dpage@germantown-tn.gov.
- Germantown Fire Department. Attention: Loving Germantown Heroes
- Station 1: 2700 Cross Country Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
- Station 2: 8926 Dogwood Rd, Germantown, TN 38139
- Station 3: 7766 Farmington Blvd, Germantown, TN 38138
- Station 4: 3031 Forest-Hill Irene Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
- Germantown Police Department. Attention: Loving Germantown Heroes
- 1930 South Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
- Germantown Public Works. Attention: Bo Mills/Loving Germantown Heroes
- 7700 Southern Ave, Germantown, TN 38138
- Germantown Building Cleaning Crews. Attention: Reynold Douglass/Loving Germantown Heroes
- 1930 South Germantown Rd. Germantown, TN 38138
- Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. Attention: Laura Barden/Loving Germantown Heroes
- 7691 Poplar Ave. Germantown, TN 38138
Residents are encouraged to expand within their own circles, but provided ideas and addresses within the suburb to get people started.
This is the second letter-writing initiative the library has started. Last week it announced a pen pal program to link youth and seniors.
Abner’s offering hard to find “side item”
Memphians grabbing dinner at Abner’s can get their regular order of chicken from the restaurant on Germantown Parkway in Cordova.
And Abner’s has added an essential item as a side order for its drive-thru menu.
Toilet paper.
For a buck a roll.
Many grocers and other stores continue to run short of bathroom tissue and other paper products due to overbuying. Abner’s will fill the need. Says so right on the window.
Mayor Jim Strickland’s Safer at Home executive order limited restaurants to drive-thru and takeout orders only. Abner’s abides by those instructions and closes their restaurant at 8 p.m. Abner’s is offering delivery for the first time.
Customers in need can also purchase a jug of tea and bags of ice with their order from the chain restaurant after a wait in the drive-thru.
Organizations teaming up to feed families in Raleigh
Refuge Memphis, Merge Memphis and Empathy Café are partnering for a meal distribution event in Raleigh Friday, April 10.
The three organizations are hosting a curbside pickup meal event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at 3385 Austin Peay Highway. The event will assist families needing better access to food.
“The reason why we are doing this is because people are in need,” said Chef Jeremiah, owner of Empathy Café. “And we have the volunteers and the capability of helping people out.”
All Raleigh residents are invited. All they must do is drive up to the pickup site. Those who come will be asked to provide name, address, email address and how many household members will receive a meal.
Germantown rallies to ‘Feed the Frontline’
Tammy Rivera drives Uber and Lyft, but since coronavirus hit Shelby County she has given fewer rides.
Recently, she picked up a woman from Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. The rider asked Rivera if she could stop by a fast food restaurant because she was hungry. She and Rivera struck up a conversation. The hospital cafeteria closes at 7 p.m. around shift change.
“Even when it’s open it’s hard for them to take off their protective gear, get food and then put on new gear,” Rivera said.
The exchange led to the birth of “Feed the Frontlines” – Rivera’s effort through a Germantown social media site to provide food for hospital staff treating patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreInternational Paper ups donation to Red Cross
Memphis-based International Paper has chipped in an additional $180,000 to support year-round humanitarian relief efforts by the American Red Cross.
It’s on top of the company’s recurring $500,000 pledge to the organization’s annual disaster giving program.
The donation will help the Red Cross assist victims of disasters, collect blood, supply humanitarian aid and assist military personnel and their families.
American Red Cross chief development officer Don Herring said the coronavirus pandemic is the latest need the organization is filling with donor support.
“The American Red Cross is so grateful to International Paper for your donation supporting our urgent humanitarian needs,” Herring said.
Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw of International Paper said, “We are committed to mobilizing our resources to address critical needs in the communities where our more than 50,000 employees live and work.”
“We commend the selfless and indispensable work of the Red Cross in our communities,” said Shaw, senior manager of community engagement at International Paper and executive director if the IP Foundation.
April 08, 2020
Z-Bo fills SCS mobile pantry with sizable food donation
Last month, Shelby County Schools Supt. Dr. Joris M. Ray asked Mid-South agencies to provide assistance after the spread of COVID-19 halted the school system’s meal distribution program.
The Mid-South Food Bank and local YMCAs offered an assist. Now, former Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has offered a rebound.
Wednesday, April 8, morning, volunteers helped distribute two weeks of meals to almost 500 families in a drive-thru pick-up location in the county Board of Education parking lot. A $10,000 donation from Randolph, along with other funders who answered Ray’s call, helped fund the food distribution.
Read MoreEaster Bunny to encourage Germantown dance-off
Since shopping malls are closed, many children did not visit the Easter Bunny this year.
However, Germantown Parks and Recreation still wants kids to spot the large rabbit.
Parents signed up and the Easter Bunny will visit 200 homes this weekend.
Those who receive a visit must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Children should stay in their yard as the bunny drives by.
The drive-by visits will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Parks and Recreation will have a live map on Facebook so children can be ready on the front lawn when the bunny visits.
As part of the event, the bunny will play music and kids are encouraged to show their grooviest moves. Parents who record a 10 to 15 second video of their child dancing may submit it to the Parks and Recreation in a Facebook message. Staff will choose the top five, and residents will be able to vote online for their favorite dancer. Videos must be submitted by Monday. Voting will take place Tuesday, and winners will be announced Wednesday. Winners will receive a prize delivered to their home.
Blue lights on bridges to honor health care workers
The lights on bridges over the Mississippi River will glow blue Thursday, April 9 after the sun sets.
The Hernando DeSoto bridge, Big River Crossing and landmarks across the United States are shining blue lights to stand in solidarity with health care workers and honor them. The Mighty Lights on the Memphis bridges will begin at 8 p.m.
Memphians are asked to dedicate a light to health care workers by online donations. Donations of more than $50 are tax-deductible. The Mighty Lights show will donate half of the proceeds to Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund spearheaded by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis.
Lights over the Mississippi will shine blue Thursday. The Mighty Lights are joining lights accross the country and shining to stand in solidarity with health care workers. (Submitted)
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.