Gwinnett Community Leader Steps Up During COVID-19

    ATLANTA, GA, May 20, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As the world began suffering from the unknowns associated with the coronavirus and the uncertainty of its developments, Help for Healthcare Professionals, Inc. (HHCP) was born. Founded by Shelli-Ann McKenzie, a Registered Nurse and community leader, who was certain that she could impact the lives of her local colleagues, family, and friends on the frontline.

As COVID-19 news reports were published about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), many sat back and watched in despair. Many of those reports hit Shelli-Ann extremely close to home. The week leading up to April 1st, she had 1 friend and 3 family members diagnosed with the virus, 2 of whom died within 2 days of their diagnosis. The daily cries from the voices on frontline haunted our airwaves as the number of cases began to increase. Shelli-Ann knew she had to act. She published a flyer urging her local community to donate PPE. At the end of March, she began collecting PPE and cleaning supplies at her home in Dacula, she drove through her neighborhood, collecting PPE donations in the back of her pickup. The first round of donations went to Northside Hospital Gwinnett, where her son was born and within 3 days of the first action, her faith led her to establish HHCP's board and formalize the nonprofit.

Currently, HHCP is providing crisis relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelli-Ann now leads a 100% volunteer community who is providing PPE to frontline healthcare workers and first responders. Her team has grown to almost 50 volunteers within the last month. Now, her team is sewing masks and gowns and providing meals to our frontline heroes. She credits her team's success to her two team managers. These local entrepreneurs stepped up to lead when their businesses had to close; Lashonia Turner, owner of Posh Salon in Dacula manages frontline meals and Yvonne Pillert, owner of Immaculate Carpets manages the sewing team.

As of April 30th, HHCP's volunteer team has sewn 2300 masks collectively and has impacted more than 3000 lives.

HHCP also plans to provide care packages and economic assistance to frontline workers and their immediate families as there are many who are displaced because of COVID-19.

Learn more about Help for Healthcare Professionals, Inc. at https://hhcpinc.org

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