Weeping cherry trees were starting to blossom in the beginning of March in Spokane, WA. I could smell the freshness and calmness of spring. In hospitals nearby, however, things were chaotic, as news on TV showed me every day. They were overloaded with coronavirus patients; doctors were overworking; many medical staff members accidentally contracted the virus, and people there desperately needed protective masks. Many people in my city had been confirmed positive, and some had died. Many more people in the United States and around the world had died of Covid-19. On March 17th, my school was closed, and people were ordered to stay home. I was scared, despondent, and helpless.

Confined to my house for three weeks taking classes online, preparing for SAT, and reading news on the Internet, I felt that I should do something to help. On April 8, I participated in the Chinese Community’s one-time donation of 800 masks to Deaconess Hospital. Leaving this event, a moment of Zen came to my mind: I probably could do more by myself. Using the 200 masks my parents had bought from China during the shortage of supplies, I donated them all to the Hospice of Spokane, a non-profit organization serving patients with terminal illnesses. The Hospice was so appreciative of my donation because the director of volunteer service told me that it was not as prioritized as the nearby hospitals were when people donated masks. I was greatly galvanized by the hospice staff members’ encouraging words and was determined to do much more.

Within a week, I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization named Team Gleam in order to raise funds to facilitate and legitimize donations. My mom helped me establish the organization’s bank account. On April 16th, I started a GoFundMe account and set up the goal to raise $600 in one week.

On social media, I asked my friends to spare $5 of their allowance for the campaign. Ten minutes passed. Twenty minutes passed. One hour passed. I gazed at my GoFundMe campaign page, begging with my eyes that someone would donate. Anytime, any amount, anyone could donate.

“JESLYN, ROSIE DONATED $10!!!!” my mom screamed jovially from her office downstairs. The first donation rolled in two hours after the account was established.

I was encouraged, but immediately I ran into problems. Though many people had seen my call for participation, many could not donate their cash allowances via GoFundMe because the website only accepts cards. Even worse, I became discouraged by some questioning about my campaign. “Mask for frontline, why? This is the government’s responsibility,” a friend of mine texted me. “Is the money going to you?” another one of my friends asked. I was almost backing down. Nevertheless, a phone conversation between my mom and my piano teacher, Mrs. Brett, I overheard solidified my determination. Mr. Brett lived in the Spokane Veterans Nursing Home, where there were more than fifty confirmed cases. Even more frightening, Mr. Brett’s roommate was tested positive for the virus. For my whole life, Mrs. and Mr. Brett had generously supported me, even outside of piano. I was hit hard by this newfound information, and I knew that I had to take action or else it would be too late.

I had been an insecure girl ever since I was little, but, this time, I decided to get out of my comfort zone. So I directly contacted the parents to support their kids by donating with their cards. Moreover, I reached out to everyone I knew, asking for any contribution they could give. To my surprise, even the parents themselves wanted to join the campaign apart from supporting their kids. Through this abundant support, in only three days into the campaign, I had reached my $600 goal. I was deeply touched by the overwhelming support. Excited, my friends and I sent 600 masks to the Spokane Veterans Nursing Home with a card of appreciation for their services.

I was truly touched by the students’ and their parents’ kindness. By April 28, 12 days into the campaign, I had raised $2,040. With the tremendous support from the community, Team Gleam donated 5,000 masks to the Hospice of Spokane, Sacred Heart Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Children’s Hospital, the Rockwood Retirement Home, and Orchard Crest Retirement Home. Beyond giving to frontline workers, Team Gleam also donated to the Lewis and Clark Community Food Drive, Christ Kitchen, The Union Gospel Mission charity clinic, and Feed Thy Neighbor. The donation of masks is ongoing.

“100,000 people have died from coronavirus in the U.S. When will it end?” Reading this gloomy headline news, I felt heavy. This battle is not over yet. So, is it just the government’s responsibility to handle the pandemic at hand?

I am reminded of the inspiring song “We are the World”:

“There are people dying

Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life

...

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me.”