Pittsboro, NC – Throughout the challenges and uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is more evident than ever – Chatham County’s resiliency. Whether it’s County staff going above and beyond to help others, or residents stepping up to volunteer, the people of Chatham County are making a difference all around. To highlight this work in the community, Chatham County is sharing stories of partnership, hope and inspiration on its web page.
Inside Look at #ChathamTogether
University of North Carolina Medical Students Volunteer with Chatham County Council on Aging
Several University of North Carolina medical students have been volunteering with the Chatham County Council on Aging (COA) during this time. Their efforts include fundraising, delivering supplies and making phone calls to help in any way they can. They also created a GoFundMe page for hygiene supplies and raised more than $500 so far.
Chatham County Community Assessment Studies COVID-19 Impact
To get a better understanding of COVID-19 infections in the county’s population as a whole, the Chatham County Public Health is working with the NC Department of Health and Human Services and UNC-Chapel Hill on a study involving the innovative Chatham Community Assessment cohort. Chatham was one of three counties statewide to receive support from the state for this type of COVID-19 assessment specifically because of the Community Assessment cohort representative of the county’s population, which was a novel approach. The new study will include COVID-19 testing over time to assess COVID-19 prevalence. Residents who receive the survey are encouraged to participate, which will help in COVID-19 response efforts. Participants are also asked to consider signing up for the additional study to give the data needed over time to respond appropriately and effectively.
Chatham Health Alliance Leads Donation Drive
The Chatham Health Alliance has launched two community drives for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other essential resources, and the Chatham community has responded. Donations of handmade masks and critical supplies have been coming in regularly. The two drives are #Masks4Medicine, a drive to get PPEs to essential workers, and #ChathamMaskMakers, a drive to get handmade masks and resources to the Chatham community.
Approximately 200 handmade masks have already been distributed to all grocery stores and tiendas in Siler City, and more have gone to all childcare facilities in the county.
The Chatham Health Alliance has also helped initiate the Chatham Solidarity Fund. The Solidarity Fund is a collaborative effort of Chatham non-profit agencies, including The Hispanic Liaison, Chatham Habitat for Humanity, Chatham Partnership for Children, Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity, KidScope, El Futuro, and Chatham Literacy, with support from the Chatham Health Alliance. The Fund’s goal is to help some of the most vulnerable families in our community make it through the COVID-19 crisis.
How to Get Involved
Those who live, work or volunteer in Chatham County are encouraged to join the #ChathamTogether movement. Individuals can share the positive ways they are responding to COVID-19 through social media, tag Chatham County’s Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #ChathamTogether.