SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (KGTV) - New Seasons Church in Spring Valley is on a mission to power up devices and lift spirits at local hospitals through "Project Charge and Connect."
The church plans to buy and donate 2,000 chargers for patients to charge their cell phones and devices while at the hospital.
The pandemic has impacted patients in the hospital, whether they are being treated for COVID-19 or non-related coronavirus issues.
Deacon Earl Coleman with New Seasons Church says the bishop of their church recently went to the hospital for surgery. While their bishop had envisioned being issues with charging his devices before he went in for surgery, he saw and experienced it during his stay.
Coleman says he hopes the chargers can help patients and their families stay connected through video and technology.
"There (is) a difference when you lay eyes on somebody," Coleman said. "You can hear something in their voice sometimes, but when you lay eyes on them, you can see what they're feeling or going through."
The church's first donation of 500 chargers will go to Sharp Grossmont on Thursday.
A spokesman for Sharp sent ABC 10News the comment via email:
"Sharp Grossmont Hospital is grateful to New Seasons Church for this generous gift of phone chargers. The chargers will help our patients stay in touch with their loved ones – so important during this time when visitor access is more limited due to COVID. Due to infection prevention, the chargers cannot be shared with other patients at the hospital, so these will come in handy!"
