Over the past month, there has been a lot of stressful news around the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it’s important to be informed, it’s also important to read about how many of our neighbors are pitching in to help. These acts of kindness remind us how many truly good people there are around the world…and right here in our own community. Below are three examples of UCI students giving back to their community.
UCI Medical Center received 5,000 face coverings, thanks to two first-year UCI medical students who joined forces with researchers and faculty from five departments at UCI to design and mass produce the masks. The medical students (Ermin Dzihic and Tim McMullen) worked with UCI Beall Applied Innovation, along with faculty and staff members from The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts – with input from the School of Medicine and the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing – to design a face shield that was assembled and tested in only six days. Together, the team produced the 5,000 face shields using 3D printing and laser cutting.
Here’s another example of kindness in our community. Third-year UCI Law student, Olivia Meme, decided she wanted to help the elderly and those most vulnerable to COVID-19, so she launched a grocery & supply service last month. After posting a sign-up form on her social media channels, Olivia was able to recruit 70 volunteers and raise more than $1,000 in a matter of days. She then coordinated with local senior centers and cancer support groups to deliver the groceries and supplies, disinfecting the items before leaving them on porches to avoid contact with the vulnerable recipients.
And over 100 UCI undergraduate students have signed up to help UCI Medical Center doctors, nurses and medical staff by volunteering to tutor their kids online, pick up groceries and supplies for their families, and walk their dogs.
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