Look for the Helpers: Local EMT deploys to hard hit area, teacher holds dance party for students
As our area is faced with ongoing changes due to a growing pandemic, we are bringing stories of people doing good in the community during a time of uncertainty.
Help us look for the helpers!
Heeding the Call
A local EMT is on the front lines in the areas hardest hit by COVID-19.
Kent Van Donge grew up in Santa Barbara and works as an EMT for AMR.
On April 17, he got a call that he was deploying to New York and New Jersey to help relieve exhausted first responders working around the clock there.
He had volunteered to go when FEMA put out a call for help. Van Donge said the situation in New Jersey is intense, but he feels safe and appreciated.
Pandemic Piano
The community came together to get 1-year-old Giovanni Olea a new piano so he can practice during the pandemic.
Olea is on a scholarship with the Southern California Piano Academy.
Olea's family has fallen on hard times, after his mother was diagnosed with a serious illness. Due to COVID-19, the young boy has been learning piano remotely on a keyboard that was also donated.
Local residents Patty and Wes Jackson donated a piano to Olea, and the Santa Barbara Bowl Outreach Foundation paid to have it moved to his home and tuned.
Southern California Piano Academy Director Laurie Robinson said music offers solace for kids like Olea during this difficult time.
Olea practices three hours a day!
Southern California Piano Academy is offering online live music education programs at a discounted rate for the entire community during COVID-19. The programs are free for low income families.
There is a need for keyboards so people can play. If you would like to donate one, go to the website for more information, click here.
A teacher in Santa Barbara is going the extra mile to bring his students joy.
Story Time
Rob Regan is a Kindergarten teacher at Monte Vista.
He created a Facebook page for students and parents when school shut down. The hope was to stay connected and keep the students engaged.
Every night, Regan goes live with 'story time' and then chats with students.
On Fridays, he has dance parties.
Parents reached out to say that Regan has been a great distraction and source of laughter for their kids.
Regan said he views a teacher's role similar to a first responder, and he's just trying to help the kids cope in these difficult times.
Know of any other helpers making a difference during these trying times? Send Alys an email and let her know!
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