8 Ways to Thank Frontline Workers

Those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak continue to help keep our community safe and the world running. To honor and celebrate their ongoing sacrifice, let’s say thank you! 

Nurses. Doctors. Grocery store employees. Delivery drivers. Warehouse workers. First responders. 211 operators. Food bank volunteers. There are so many people who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. They continue to help keep our community safe and the world running. To honor and celebrate their ongoing sacrifice, let’s say thank you!  Join United Way on May 5 as we rally our entire community to say thank you to the essential workers who have tirelessly and bravely continued to do their jobs. Our effort will be one part of a bigger day of giving and unity called #GivingTuesdayNow.  Every year people come together on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for #GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement. In response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, we are joining nonprofits and individual people around the world in a special #GivingTuesdayNow event. Let’s show the world that we are all united in support of our frontline workers!

8 Ways to Say Thank You

There are many ways to say thank you. Here are just a couple of our ideas for what you can do:

1. Make a sign for your window or front yard

Make someone’s commute to work brighter by posting a sign in your window or front yard telling frontline workers how much they mean to our community. This is a great project for kids!

2. Be kind

Essential workers who are keeping grocery, convenience and pharmacy stores open see large groups of people every day. When you must shop at one of these stores, be respectful of the people working there. Tell them thank you, wear a protective mask, keep your distance from employees and be kind to team members and other customers. These small acts can help workers feel appreciated and safer at their jobs.

3. Share a message on social media

As we all keep our physical distance, connecting online has become even more important. Using social media is a great way to thank frontline workers. You can tag people you know or send a general message using the hashtags #InThisTogether, #COVIDHeroes or #GivingTuesdayNow. On May 5, you can also reshare posts from our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn channels.

4. Run errands or make a meal for the frontline workers in your area

Even if you don’t personally know someone who is working on the frontlines, there are ways to help. Start by checking your neighborhood Facebook or Next Doors pages and offering assistance, or get in contact with your local community centers. By finding out the needs of individual frontline workers in your area, you can help by doing whatever will be most impactful—perhaps picking up the extra supplies they need at the grocery store, or dropping off a meal for them to express your appreciation. View some local volunteer and donation needs here.

5. Email Congress 

Show frontline workers you appreciate their work by helping them get the support they need. During this time of uncertainty and economic crisis, many people, including those still working, need a boost to make ends meet. Vital services like 211, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can provide relief for frontline workers – and others – in need. You can ask your representative to increase funding for these services. Use this form to email your member of Congress.

6. Leave items for delivery workers

Delivery workers are putting in long hours and many find it hard to get to the store. Help them by leaving items such as water bottles, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, snacks and other essentials that will get them through their day or save them a trip to the store. Remember to sanitize the items as best as you can and leave instructions so the delivery people do the same.

7. Pledge your support to organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis

Frontline workers are often part of the populations that nonprofits serve in times of crisis. They may be the very people who need help with rent or utilities or access to healthy food and affordable medication. A donation to our COVID-19 Crisis Fund allows us reach more people and help them stay in their homes, stock their pantries, and protect their lives and livelihoods during this time of crisis.

8. Stay at home

The most important thing you can do to thank frontline workers is to stay home. When we all stay home, we limit the spread of COVID-19. So, limit outings to essential trips to the grocery store, medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, walking pets and helping the vulnerable. When outside, use social distancing to stay at least six feet away from others and wear a mask when appropriate.

Even though we are apart, we can still be United. Let’s show frontline workers that we are in this together!