SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Nurses are stepping up to help those on the front lines of the pandemic by creating 'Relief Goodie Bags'.
Jennifer DePoy is a nurse with Sharp Mary Birch where she works with women and newborns, but an ankle injury has her stuck at home.
"I was just kind of feeling guilty because when you're a nurse and there's this huge crisis you want to at least be at work," she said.
While scrolling on social media she saw a friend dressed in protective equipment. "It struck me," DePoy said.
She knew she could do something to help.
She posted on Instagram asking if others wanted to help her make goodie bags for nurses in the ICU at Sharp Memorial who are treating COVID-19 patients.
"I started it about a week ago, talking about it, maybe eight, nine days and it's just completely blown up!" DePoy said.
Nurse friends, one who is on maternity leave with two young kids and another who works with COVID-19 patients, jumped in to help. Restaurants and businesses big and small leapt at the chance to give.
"All of these businesses, they’re not having the foot traffic right now and they’re without hesitation giving,” she said in disbelief.
DePoy said Mr. Moto Pizza donated full meals, "I was thinking like $5 gift cards, they gave a free pizza to every nurse."
Some of the items include snacks, drinks, wine and wellness activities to heart-warming notes of gratitude.
"These are little ornaments that say front line nurses are angels.... I love those little angels, I think they're beautiful because that's something, not that people want to remember the bad part of this, but I think people will want to remember the hope that came out of it and the people helping other people," she said.
The drop off will be April 24th.
She will hand over 50 stuffed goodie bags to the manager of Sharp Memorial Hospital who will hand them out to nurses on the front lines.
"I just hope all these things bring the nurses a little bit of joy. If they go get takeout one night or they can just forget about it for just one hour and go get a donut and a coffee," she said.
While she won't get to see their reaction, she just hopes they know we're thankful for all they do.
If you want to help please email nursegoodiebagssd@gmail.com. DePoy said if they get more donations she is hopeful they can keep the positivity going through more goodie bags.