With donations of essential medical gear, cash and food, Chinese-American civic leaders with links to the Southwest Management District showed their support and gratitude on Thursday (April 23) for front-line healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients at Memorial Hermann Southwest hospital.
Members of the Joint Chinese College Alumni Association of Southern USA created a COVD-19 Relief Fund that quickly raised the money for Thursday’s presentation at the hospital of 400 protective gowns, 15,000 medical masks (for a total of $22,500) and 200 boxes of pastries for the staff. The JCCAA also donated $7,500 to the Memorial Hermann Foundation’s Feed The Frontliners fund, which helps employees care for their families while facing extraordinary challenges at work.
“It’s our responsibility as citizens to help,” JCCAA president Judy Jeng said today during a presentation to Memorial Hermann Southwest CEO Malisha Patel and staff. “Our hearts go out to the doctors and nurses who risk their lives to save others day in and day out. They are our heroes. We want to help protect them so that they can do their jobs and be safe.”
Jeng pointed out that Memorial Hermann Southwest is part of the Southwest Management District near Chinatown, and “our favorite doctors are from the hospital.”
JCCAA members attended colleges and universities in Taiwan.
The presentation also included remarks by Peter Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Houston; Kenneth Li, Southwest Management District board chairman and Dawn Lin on behalf of Congressman Al Green. Attendees included District J Houston Council Member Edward Pollard and City Controller Chris Brown.
