Fundraising for Coronavirus Relief: How You Can Help the Fight
- With so much uncertainty and concern surrounding the recent novel coronavirus, it’s easy to feel helpless—but there is something we can all do to help the fight against it. Aside from keeping safe and following guidelines from medical experts, we can all do our part to get help to people and regions that have been affected. By fundraising for coronavirus relief efforts, or donating to a coronavirus relief fund, we can all do our part and provide much-needed support and aid. With the growing number of quarantined areas, individuals in these areas need vital medical help and day-to-day items to pull through this new threat.
What is the coronavirus and how can you stay safe?
The only thing that’s certain at this point about the coronavirus (COVID-19) is that it’s a respiratory infection that can be transmitted from person to person. Aside from this, scientists are still uncovering other factors about the disease and its spread. For this reason, it’s important to rely on the advice of medical experts and be wary of misinformation that is circulating, such as unproven cures and ways to fight the disease.
To get coronavirus facts, the Australian Department of Health is a great place to start. The Department has provided numerous resources with ever-evolving information about the disease, and even steps to prevent the illness. It’s also good to remember basic hygiene tips that can reduce your risk of contracting the disease, such as washing your hands often, not touching your face, and staying away from crowded events or areas.
If you want to take added steps to prevent your risk of exposure, look to the government’s travel notices, which includes information about high-risk regions, international and interstate travel. Once you ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to reduce your own risk, consider helping others that may not have as many options.
Why is it important to support those affected by COVID-19?
The impact of the coronavirus has extended far beyond those who have become infected. Entire communities now face emergency lockdowns, and in Italy alone, more than 16 million people have been quarantined in an attempt to prevent further spread of the disease.
With such a staggering number of people in quarantine and more becoming sick, needs quickly mount. Everything from basics, like food to financial assistance to pay for things like rent is urgently needed as people experience lost wages due to illness or quarantine restrictions.
The sheer enormity of this new threat has led to a huge push to raise money for coronavirus for growing demands for medical supplies and equipment.
As the threat of this disease grows and puts further strain on communities, here are a few things we can all consider doing to provide some relief:
1. Directly support individuals impacted by the virus
As the crisis grows, so do the negative effects to peoples’ health and their financial wellbeing, but we can all do our part to help those affected. Here’s how making a direct donation to COVID-19 fundraisers can help:
Living expenses
Hourly workers and people without paid sick leave are among the most vulnerable to the negative financial effects of the pandemic. With no way to cover expenses, workers like these will inevitably fall behind on rent and other fixed expenses. For these reasons, it’s important to get ahead of the crisis and start providing support to individuals like these.
Food, water, and other basics
Low-income households are already strained in good times but this new threat makes it even more important to provide immediate financial assistance to these households.
Helping emergency workers
Some people on GoFundMe are using the platform to fundraise to send food to healthcare workers during this difficult time, such as this campaign by Alex Makes Meals. Others are fundraising to help the homeless. And these are just a few examples of what people are trying to do to help each other during this crisis. At GoFundMe, you can find many more great acts of kindness. To find more fundraisers like the ones above, check out our hub for COVID-19.
Donating directly to these fundraisers may provide the immediate financial support families and individuals need to rise above this crisis. While donating to charities or communal fundraisers is also a valid option, fundraisers for individuals may be the best way to guarantee people get the money they need to get immediate relief.
2. Create care packages with supplies
While everyone should be taking precautions, some people in our communities may be at a greater risk if they are elderly or have preexisting health conditions. For people who are not able to get around easily due to preexisting conditions, or who cannot afford to stockpile, preparing for potential quarantines may be much harder. To help these individuals, consider creating care packages to help reduce their risk of exposure.
That’s what the Roberts family from Hobart did, raising thousands to help people who cannot afford to stockpile basic supplies to help them through the crisis.
If you’d like to do this on your own but don’t know where to start, consider reaching out to a local charity and ask if they would like to partner with you. Local charities may already be doing this, so it would be a great opportunity for you to volunteer your time with them.
3. Start a fundraiser for yourself or someone you know
Another way to provide support for someone impacted is by creating a fundraiser for someone in need. By setting up a fundraiser for someone that needs help, you can help them overcome potential hurdles they’re facing because of the spread of COVID-19. Setting up a GoFundMe is just one way to do this, but you can also look to other crowdfunding platforms and find the right fit.
Of course, if you’re the person in need, you may want to start a fundraiser for yourself. You may have a sick family member, have childcare needs, or even be out of work as a result of quarantine measures in your region. Even today, only a few months after the disease was discovered, you’ll find hundreds of fundraisers that people have created, and many are for themselves. If you’re in a quarantined region or need emergency funds to prepare, creating a fundraiser and asking for help could make all the difference.
4. Donate to organisations or institutions
Another great way to help is by supporting organisations that are providing relief efforts to people and communities affected by the coronavirus. By contributing to charities that are addressing the coronavirus impact, you can provide direct support to COVID-19 fundraising on a larger scale.
If you want to find charities near you, try reaching out to organisations that typically provide the public with basics, such as food, water, and toiletries. If you’re not sure where to begin, you could search the charity register and contact any charities that seem like a good fit.
If you’re not able to donate items, or want to do your own charity fundraising, consider starting a fundraiser to support a local charity. Using GoFundMe, you can find local charities and start fundraising on their behalf.
Take action today
Start crowdfunding to fight coronavirus or find other ways to help with coronavirus. Getting ahead and helping now is key to making sure everyone is prepared for new developments. Whether you’re opting to go with fundraising options, like GoFundMe, or gathering supplies for care packages, it’s important to do something now.