people, we want to do that." According to Schmidt and Monroe, they were hoping for around 10 yard signs. They had no idea how quickly the "love bomb" would grow. The group, composed of over 100 people from Kirkwood to Texas, blew up with people asking to send money to help provide meals and snacks for Bernsen's family and ICU nursing staff. Others offered to give gift cards for carry out, prepare home- cooked meals and baked goods and donate snacks. Schmidt said the overwhelming support showed her just how many lives Bernsen has touched. "It's just incredible, all the things these people did," Schmidt said. "People want to be engaged and they want to be kind and they want to be helpful. Katie is truly a treasure. She shows up for Kirkwood. And that's why I think everyone wanted to show up for her." A photo frame mat held the signatures of everyone who had stopped by at different times during the day to add their own decorations. And lists taped to her garage door read the names of friends who brought gifts and donated money to provide meals for her family. Bernsen said she was not surprised to see the names of her closest friends, but was blown away to read the names of community members she knows only a little. "You don't realize how many people's lives you're touching along the way in just the connections that we make over the years," Bernsen said. "I'm not a lifelong Kirkwoodian, I did not grow up here. And so just to be able to see how this community is and how passionate they are, and how kindhearted and incredibly generous this community is, it was incredibly special." Through the monetary donations received, the "love bomb" raised over $1,800 with donations ranging from $5 to $100. The money collected is being used to provide multiple prepared meals for the Bernsen family each week, and to purchase snacks and treats for the St. Mary's ICU nursing staff. Between the meals provided by the donations, home-cooked meals brought over by friends, and gift cards received for carry out, the Bernsen family has dinner covered each week. Bernsen said knowing her kids are eating proper meals and that a warm meal is waiting for her at home has helped alleviate stress. "It's such a relief [to be given meals]," Bernsen said. "That was one less thing that I was going to have to be worrying about, what we were having for dinner tonight. It just means the world, it really does." Schmidt and Monroe said the "love bomb" was something small they could arrange to show their support for not only Bernsen, but healthcare workers as a whole. To them, it is necessary that we rally behind those fighting this pandemic. "We're in this together," Monroe said. "We have to do what we can do to help our community. I can't go be a nurse, but what I can do is I can support those who can go to work at a hospital. I can make sure to put my money and my effort into supporting the people who can be out and [helping]." Since the "love bomb," Schmidt and Monroe said they have heard from people organizing their own versions to celebrate the healthcare workers in their lives. Schmidt, Monroe and Bernsen said they hope to continue to see people offering support and appreciation during this time of confinement and beyond. "Our lives are so different right now then they were before, and it's really easy to be wrapped up in our own lives because we're all in a place of uncertainty," Schmidt said. "We're all concerned and worried. But we have to remember to really celebrate people along the way. Big problems don't necessarily need big solutions. We don't need to wait for a vaccine to be grateful, we can do some things today. When we do any little thing it has a ripple effect, and anybody can start it. Whoever you know, celebrate that person."
17
Previous Page