OUR DISTRIBUTIONS
GSP sends love to Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department
GSP honors frontline workers and staff of the Home with Hope.
GSP honors frontline workers and staff of the Home with Hope.
GSP honors frontline workers and community leaders at the State House.
Phase two
Good Samaritan Project Phase 2- Sending Love
The second phase of the project has begun which is "Sending Love", which now aims to recognize and thank everyone who tirelessly work just to keep the community safe.
GSP realize that frontline and essential workers should and must include teachers, daycare workers, mental health workers, vaccine and testing centers, public health officials, and of course, including all their support staff. All must be recognized as it is always a team effort.
Volunteers are now preparing to deliver care packages that include fragrance free hand sanitizer, lotion, chapsticks, masks, and commercially prepared treats. The packages will include coupons/gift certificates from local businesses and will read the community thank you letter of appreciation from Indiana House of Representatives, and Certificate of Appreciation. All these efforts will be done without breaking any health protocols.
How to Participate
Please consider volunteering to make and deliver care packages, financial donations to purchase the needed healthcare items or in kind donations such as supplies, gift bags, baskets, vases and other items. You may also give suggestions for recipients of the GSP - sending Love Project.
You may donate here.
How it all started.
Good Samaritan Project Phase 1 - Holiday Cheer
As Lafayette hospitals near capacity and many residents cancel their Christmas travel plans, one local florist is determined to spread joy this holiday season—starting with those who need it most.
“COVID isn’t taking a break for Christmas and neither are our frontline workers,” says Paula Davis, owner of Blooms and Petals flower shop in Downtown Lafayette.
Davis is currently seeking donations for the Good Samaritan Project Holiday 2020, which aims to provide floral arrangements and gift baskets to medical facilities, nursing homes, and other frontline workers in the Greater Lafayette area.
“Like most small business owners, I’m fighting for my livelihood and trying to save my employees’ jobs. Frontline workers are fighting for our lives and keeping society afloat.” Frontline workers include not only nurses and doctors but EMS, police, firefighters, nursing home staff, as well as clerical employees and even cleaning and food-service workers who support caregivers and assistants.
“It takes hundreds of people to keep medical facilities running, and not all of those jobs are high-paying. These individuals have worked tirelessly and put themselves at risk. We owe it to them this holiday season to express our gratitude and raise their spirits.”
Davis first launched the Good Samaritan Project in March 2020 when the stay-at-home order left her with a surplus of fresh flowers. Nine months later, Gov. Eric Holcomb has described Indiana as “on fire” from a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases.
“We are in this for the long haul. We can’t control this virus, but we can control our response.”
Financial contributions to the Good Samaritan Holiday 2020 project can be made on
https://www.facebook.com/donate/393127218420315/
Food donations must be commercially prepared and individually wrapped. A list of donors will be included with every gift arrangement, and personal messages to frontline workers are encouraged.
“There is no contribution too small,” says Davis. “Micro-donations really do add up, and we also need items like baskets and vases. I am particularly relying on local businesses to donate any goods or services they can.” All participants will receive a “thank you” certificate for their generosity.
“I have faith in Greater Lafayette and its residents,” says Davis. “When we do something nice for others, we inspire ourselves and reaffirm that there is hope. THAT is how we will get through this crisis and emerge even stronger.”
Writer: Jessica Mehr
Source: Paula Davis, Blooms & Petals, www.bloomsandpetals.net
( In our first phase- Holiday Cheer, we distributed 60 GSP Care packages that reached over 975 people and are goal is to reach even more. We will continue to include in our distribution the medical, law enforcement , and service workers as well. With your help we can send encouragement and love to even more front line heroes. )
GSP Honors the Frontline workers of LTHC Housing Service
LAFAYETTE, Ind. 18th of March, 2021.
According to the CDC or Center for Disease Control, people experiencing homelessness would be at high risk of Covid-19, most of them are adults and those who already have underlying medical conditions. Health departments and healthcare facilities should be aware that people who are homeless are a particularly vulnerable group. If possible, identifying non-congregate settings where those at increased risk can stay may help protect them from COVID-19.
GSP wanted to take note of this pronouncement from the CDC. Most of us are lucky enough to have a shelter that would protect us during lockdown, but there are still people who are unfortunately homeless - in the streets risking their health. We are continuously working to make sure that no one in the community is being left behind and they get the care they need.
LTHC Homeless Services (formerly Lafayette Transitional Housing Center) is the coordinated point of entry and initial assessment for anyone experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis in Tippecanoe County. Their community service is vital to the survival of our fellows who are experiencing homelessness and would probably have been in the streets if not because of their care. They have been in the service since 1989, helping community families, children, veterans and those with disabilities find stable housing and be self-sufficient.
GSP wants to honor the frontline workers and staff of LTHC for their never-ending support to our community and the homeless. Care packages are brought to them with the letter from the State of Indiana and a Certificate of Appreciation.
Their service to the needy is incomparable so it's just right to give them acknowledgment they truly deserve.
LTHC is located at 815N 12th St. Lafayette, IN. 47904. You may contact them at 765-423-4880. The number of guest they help has increased and they greatly need our support for funding.
GSP HONORS FRONTLINE WORKERS AND STAFF OF HOME WITH HOPE.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. 18th of March, 2021
In 2020, there have been a lot of studies, journals, and essays written about the psychological effects of Covid-19 on our mental health. Although it has not been studied at length, it is safe to say that there really is an unprecedented combination of adversities that could present a serious threat to the mental health of the entire world.
Paula Davis, together with volunteers and donors across the state, are now working on a new initiative to send love and support to frontline workers and other institutions to give them hope and alleviate their mental stress and anxiety. Sending Love, which is phase two of our project, is intended to bring hope and appreciation to front line workers not only in the hospitals but also from other institutions that are looking after the community.
GSP visited the Home with Hope to acknowledge the the hardworking frontline workers and staff. The team were greeted with the Director of Development - Dr. Deanna McMillian, or "Dr. D" as what her colleagues and friends would call her - They discussed what the whole Indiana community could potentially do to help the facility. Aside from the monetary donations, which is certainly a big help to them, they also need moral and emotional support from the whole Indiana community as they also encounter hard times running the facility amidst the pandemic.
Home With Hope, located in 920 N. 11th St., is the only facility of its kind in Lafayette are that provides a continuum of care, often following primary treatment or detox for alcoholism and other drug addictions, for men and women age 18 and older. They help their clients learn how to live their lives as productive members of their communities, free from addiction and substance abuse, by providing an environment conducive to recovery.
In addition to treating hardworking front line workers with gift bags filled with cookies and other goodies, there are care packages of unscented natural hand sanitizer, hand lotion, lip balm, and masks too. Rachel Spencer, one of the GSP volunteers read a letter from the State of Indiana thanking them for their vital contribution to the community.
It is a humbling and heartfelt experience for the whole team of GSP to be able to send love and support to these frontline workers on "addiction recovery" field who are usually forgotten that they exist. We should remember that their kind of work is also essential to the community as they provide safe facility for those who are doing their best to get out of addiction and better their lives and their future.
You can reach Home with Hope on the following contact details:
www.homewithhope.org
Phone: (765) 742-3246
Fax: (765) 269-9110
Announce coming events
Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
GSP sends love to Tippecanoe County Sherrif's Department.
"Rehabilitation instead of Incarceration"
LAFAYETTE, Ind. 10 Feb, 2021. - Few days before Valentine's Day, Good Samaritan Project visited the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department to present the Certificate of Appreciation honoring the men and women of the department who are all tirelessly protecting the community with or without the pandemic.
Together with her team, Paula Davis, presented the certificate to Sheriff Bob Goldsmith as a recognition to all their hard works as front line workers to the community. Sheriff Goldsmith believes that people who have been arrested faces two different treatment venues - either they can get help from the community through a treatment program, or they can go to jail where they will be provided with the treatment, and it should always be rehabilitation instead of incarceration.
The State of Indiana also gave letter to the department thanking them for their contribution to the community. They were also given care packages and treats. GSP believes that every single person in the community, from nurses, firefighters, policemen, teachers, and staff are all part the essential workers battling the pandemic in their own special way and a small act of kindness and love will go a long way.
GSP sends love to Lafayette Police DepartMENT
LAFAYETTE, Ind. 10 Feb, 2021 - Covid19 is a no match to all the hardworking men and women of the Lafayette (IN) Police Department. GSP wanted to honor them by awarding the Certificate of Appreciation. With their countless efforts ensuring the safety of everyone, it is just right to honor and acknowledge them as part of our front line in battling the pandemic. They all have been very active in the pursuit of public safety with or without covid19.
They were also given care packages that they can use to ease their stress and anxiety brought about by the still raging cases of covid19 across the state. The State of Indiana gave letter to the department thanking them for their contribution to the community.
GSP believes that every single person in the community, from nurses, firefighters, policemen, teachers, and staff are all part the essential workers battling the pandemic in their own special way and a small act of kindness and love will go a long way. Patrick Flannelly is the Chief of Police for the Lafayette, Indiana, Police Department. Together with his team, they formed the Lafayette Police Foundation early 2016 in order to support, advance and promote public safety through education, service and development of good citizens and future leaders in the field of law enforcement.
GSP Sends love to West Lafayette Police Dept.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. 10 Feb, 2021 - Nearly a year ago when the Good Samaritan Project first visited the West Lafayette Police Department to acknowledge the hardworking men and women for their extreme efforts at the start of the pandemic. Now, as part of the second phase of the project - "Sending Love", Paula Davis and her team of volunteers once again visited the department to recognized and honor them for their continued excellence and commitment to the community.
Present during GSP's visit were Chief of Police Troy W. Harris and Deputy Chief David A. VAnVactor. They have been in the front line since May of 2020, and together with their team, they continue to preserve, protect and defend people and property and maintain social order even during the pandemic.
"It's been a tough time for law enforcements for a lot of reasons...we are struggling to connect with the community so we are now looking for ways to get more engaged to everyone in the community" - Harris said. The Police Department is struggling to connect to people because of the danger of in-person interaction so they created a special service to connect to them in person and virtually. "It's important to focus on the positive, respect and recognize that being a law enforcer is not easy.", added Davis.
GSP brought care packages that contain goodies, fragrance free and all natural hand sanitizer, hand lotion, chapstick, facemasks, stationaries and letters thanking them for their service.
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GSP goes to the state house
Indiana State House, July 28, 2021- The Good Samaritan Project in partnership with Teleflora Make Someone Smile Week paid a visit to the Indiana State House on Wednesday, July 28th, 2021 to present the Certificate of Appreciation and Distinctive Leadership Awards to our frontline workers and community leaders, honoring the men and women of the community who are all tirelessly protecting the community with or without the pandemic.
Together with her team and with the help of the local florist from Teleflora Indiana Unit, Paula Davis presented the certificate to Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Sen. Lonnie Randolph, Sen. Ronnie Alting, Rep. Shiela Klinker, Rep. Chris Campbell, Rep. Dr. Vernon of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, First Sargeant Terrence Weems of the Indiana Black Troopers Association, Major Jerry Williams of the Indiana State Police, and Minister Lydia Davis of Barnes United Methodist Church BUMC). The kids from the BUMC receive bears and flowers.
They were also given care packages, flowers, mugs, and bears donated by Teleflora. A thank you letter from the grateful community was read to help boost the morale of our tired frontline workers community servants.
GSP was founded in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, to support the front line and essential workers in the face of an unknown foe—covid19. More than a year later, the pandemic still rages on. But this won't stop GSP from giving love and support to our unsung heroes because they know that there's much still to be done despite having the vaccines available. GSP believes that every single person in the community, from nurses, firefighters, policemen, teachers, and staff are all part of the essential workers battling the pandemic in their own special way and a small act of kindness and love will go a long way.
Visit the Teleflora website to get to know more about their Make Someone Smile Week project - - https://www.teleflora.com/make-someone-smile-week-flower-donations?promotion=JULYWELCOME5