If you’re like me, you are concerned about the physical and economic impacts of COVID-19 across our entire world, and especially at-risk individuals and communities. It’s been inspiring to us to see so many of our customers playing a central role in helping the world heal.

As a company and as individuals, many of us are looking for ways to help others in these trying times. We invited the ServiceMax community of employees, partners, and customers to surface organizations or initiatives that are meaningful to them.

Below you’ll find an array of organizations that are doing incredible work to help keep our world running during these tumultuous times.

Healthcare

Red Cross
Ideas for Giving Back During the COVID-19 CrisisThe Red Cross is a well-known humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education around the world. In the US, the Red Cross maintains 40% of the nation’s blood supply. During the COVID-19 crisis, the American Red Cross and its volunteers have continued to help people recover from disasters while making necessary adaptions to meet social distancing guidelines.

The Italian Red Cross has been helping manage the transport of potentially suspect cases and thousands of volunteers have been aiding in the body temperature measurement procedures of travelers entering Italy. The British Red Cross is continuing to provide emergency aid during the crisis, as well as educate the public on COVID-19 and highlight the work that Red Cross National Societies around the world are doing to respond to the crisis.

“One of the most important things people can do right now during this public health emergency is to give blood. If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible.” – Gail McGovern, CEO of the American Red Cross

“You can always count on the Red Cross to show up for all of humanity’s greatest needs.” – Jill Rollinson, ServiceMax

Donate American Red Cross
Donate Italian Red Cross
Donate British Red Cross
Donate International Committee of The Red Cross

Direct Relief
Ideas for Giving Back During the COVID-19 CrisisDirect Relief works in the U.S. and internationally to equip doctors and nurses with life-saving medical resources to care for the world’s most vulnerable people.

During this crisis, Direct Relief is coordinating with public health authorities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in the U.S. and globally to provide PPE and essential medical items to health workers responding to COVID-19. In addition, Direct Relief maintains an emergency stockpile to assist with anticipated spikes in ICU patients.

Donate

COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
The World Health Organization, United Nations Foundation, and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation have put together a fund to support WHO’s work to track and understand the spread of the virus; ensure patients get the care they need and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them.

Donate

DonatePPE
DonatePPE is a non-profit organization created in response to COVID-19 to help healthcare heroes get the equipment they need. DonatePPE has set up distribution centers in the Bay Area, New York City, Boston, and South California where people can donate PPE, as well as a GoFundMe to raise money for purchasing, manufacturing, and distributing PPE to healthcare workers. DonatePPE has partnered with Norwex, Ford Motors, and Citizens of Humanity to further their efforts.

Donate

People in Need

Save the Children
Ideas for Giving Back During the COVID-19 CrisisSave the Children is a London-based humanitarian organization that aims to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.

Around the world, Save the Children is distributing hygiene supplies to ensure communities can wash their hands and is providing vital health information on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of infection.

Donate

Age UK
Age UK is a charity that provides information, advice, social support, and healthcare support for older people. With the current protocols for social distancing for people over 70, Age UK’s services have never been more in demand. They are working to ensure their vital information, advice, and befriending services can continue to safely help the older people who are reaching out for help.

“This charity provides an extremely valuable and essential service that is highly impactful but perhaps lacks the recognition it deserves. During this time, family and community are precious commodities of immeasurable value that should never be taken for granted. – Anthony Harris, ServiceMax

Donate
Volunteer

Living Resources
Ideas for Giving Back During the COVID-19 CrisisLiving Resources is a New York-based organization dedicated to providing life-enhancing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with a brain injury, in a safe and nurturing environment.

More than 850 staff members provide a wide range of services to more than 1,900 families and individuals to help them reach new levels of independence. During this crisis, Living Resources is providing critical support to help participants adjust to the new normal.

“Living Resources is on the frontlines providing incredible services not only during this crisis but every day.” – Jeremy Noble, Horizon Bradco

Donate

Feed the Children
Feed the Children is a non-profit organization focused on alleviating childhood hunger. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Feed the Children has been supplying community partners (like food pantries and soup kitchens) with the bulk items they need as well as providing deliveries of food, water, and essentials to communities across the U.S. and the globe.

“One child going hungry is one too many. Proper nutrition is critical for a child’s mental, emotional, and physical development–it’s a basic human right. Children everywhere deserve the energy and vitality to thrive, and we have the power to give them that through Feed the Children.”  – Caron Goodwin, ServiceMax

Donate

Other Ways to Give Back

Spread Positivity
Whether sending letters, leaving teddy bears in your window, creating sidewalk art, or leaving gifts for delivery workers, there are many ways to spread joy in your community and show appreciation for those working on the frontlines.

teddy bear hunt; Ideas for Giving Back During the COVID-19 Crisis

Teddy Bear Hunt in Missoula, MT

“We are writing letters to our doctors, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, grocery store workers, and local small businesses to say thank you for their commitment. We love sending positive messages to those still working to keep the world running!” – Paige Karno, ServiceMax

 

Donate to Your Local Food Bank
Many food banks are looking for extra support while they respond to the influx in demand for food during this crisis. You can support your local food bank by volunteering, donating food, or donating money.

Support Local Restaurants
Local businesses and their employees are taking a hit at this time. Help keep your favorite restaurants afloat by ordering take-out or delivery, contributing to fundraisers, buying gift cards, or sharing your support on social media. Find helpful ways to get started here from OpenTable. For Bay Areas locals, check out Save Our Faves.

There are countless organizations to support and ways to give back during this time. Below is a running list of additional suggestions the ServiceMax community has put together:

Additional Organizations to Support During COVID-19:

Americares – Focused on delivering protective supplies to health workers
Bricks for Kids Knoxville­ – Struggling small business that runs educational programs for kids
BStrong – Focused on procuring and distributing PPE to hospitals across the US
City Serve of the Tri-Valley– Focused on housing assistance to the homeless in the Bay Area
Doctors Without Borders – Focused on providing care for COVID-19 patients
Emergency – Italian Organization helping treat COVID-19 patients
Feeding America – Focused on feeding those in need
Food Allergy Research & Education – Focused on helping families access safe foods during this time of panic-buying that is resulting in food-insecurity for those with life-threatening allergies
GetusPPE.org ­– Focused on getting PPE to health care workers
International Rescue Committee – Focused on providing health care services and education
LifeMoves – Focused on housing assistance and providing sanitary supplies for homeless in Silicon Valley
Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund – Focused on providing meals to seniors
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund – Focused on providing cash assistance to service workers who rely on tips
Pizza vs. Pandemic – Donations fund local pizza orders that are delivered to health care workers in need
Team Rubicon Disaster Relief – Focused on providing disaster relief, including mobile COVID-19 testing sites
UNICEF – Focused on preventing transmission among children and delivering medical supplies
World Central Kitchen – Focused on providing meals for seniors and healthcare workers

Is there an organization you are passionate about that is not on the list? We’d love to hear more ideas for how to help out in the comments below.

 

ABOUT Stacey Epstein

Avatar photoStacey Epstein is the Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer at ServiceMax. Previously, she was president of Zinc (acquired by ServiceMax in February 2019) and CMO at ServiceMax, where she helped fuel five consecutive years of triple-digit growth leading to a $1B acquisition by GE in 2017.