As the nation continues to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, attention has shifted to the millions of healthcare providers working around the clock to treat infected patients.
Facing a shortage of personal protective equipment in some states, companies have donated essential items such as masks and gowns to ensure healthcare workers are able to care for patients without putting themselves at further risk.
Fanatics, a company that manufactures merchandise, recently teamed up with Major League Baseball to create hundreds of thousands of masks and gowns using raw materials from jerseys.
Others have taken to buying free meals for heroic healthcare workers around the country. On Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen purchased breakfast and had it delivered to employees at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.
This morning @kenleyjansen74 and wife Gianni had Panera breakfast delivered to @UCLAMCH to say thank you to our heroes for all their work during these times. pic.twitter.com/98l35t5fgt
— The Kenley Jansen Foundation (@kenleyjansenFDN) April 13, 2020
Working long hours during these unprecedented times, Jansen’s kind act ensured that numerous healthcare providers at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital were treated to a hot meal to start their day.
Over the past calendar year, Jansen has taken a proactive approach with giving back to the local community by forming the Kenley Jansen Foundation.
The Foundation’s mission is to impact the lives of families who have seriously ill and chronically ill children by providing them with daily support through life-improving resources and life-changing experiences.
Last June, Jansen brought joy to hospitalized children through the first “Kenley’s Locker.” Built at the White Memorial Medical Center, it featured several Nintendo Switch gaming systems, accompanying games, 20 iPads, and $500 worth in iTunes gift cards to be used for apps.
Jansen went on to unveil a second and third “Kenley’s Locker” at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital last November, which continued to provide patients with fun games and activities.
The idea to form the Kenley Jansen Foundation began two years ago, when Jansen and his wife Gianni were in New York. Their son ran a high fever and fell ill, leading to countless hours spent in a hospital.
Along with the Foundation, Jansen started “Kenley’s K for Kids” last year. Fans were able to pledge donations for every strikeout Jansen recorded, with the Jansen family matching donations up to $50,000.
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