Happy Friday, Hudson County! As another week comes to an end, we’re ready to celebrate with all the happiest things that happened around the community in the past few days. From ringing in the 50th anniversary of Earth Day to some inspirational local art, we have a lot to reflect on and appreciate. Before you kick off your weekend with some Netflix and wine, take a look at all the heartwarming local news that gives us hope for better days ahead.
Residence Inn Donates Rooms to Medical Professionals
{Photo credit: @residence_inn_weehawken}
Like many businesses, the hotel industry is struggling right now. Even with very few paying guests, the Residence Inn Weehawken is still trying its best to give back to those on the front lines. This hotel in Weehawken is now donating 20 free room nights every day to Jersey City Medical Center medical professionals that are keeping us all safe during these tough times.
Greenhook Ginsmiths Makes and Distributes Hand Sanitizer
After converting the majority of Greenhook factory production from Gin and Amaro to the creation of hand sanitizer, this Brooklyn-based distillery is giving back to several hospitals, the Hoboken Food Pantry, government organizations, nursing homes, public health officials, utility companies, and individuals.
Owners Steven and Amy DeAngelo say that they “have recently converted the majority of our factories production from Gin and Amaro to the creation of hand sanitizer. We have felt extremely blessed to help hospitals, governmental organizations, nursing homes, public health officials, and utility companies all the way to direct consumers.”
Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic Gives Back to the Community
Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic is making some hand sanitizer with love and donating it to the community. The clinic is handing out their homemade sanitizer for free in Hoboken, as well as donating PPE masks to hospitals. They’re doing everything they can at this time to aid the community and medical professionals in need of equipment for their own safety.
Umbrella Organizes a Volunteer Grocery Delivery Group
Hoboken-based company Umbrella is actively recruiting volunteers around New Jersey to address the growing number of grocery delivery requests being made by senior citizens. The volunteers will be coordinating grocery and medication pickup for seniors who cannot or should not leave their homes. If you have time on your hands and want to save some lives, visit their website to learn more.
Threads 4 Thought Donates Thousands of Masks
{Photo credit: @Threads4Thought}
A Hoboken based, sustainable, and ethical clothing company called Threads 4 Thought just donated 2,000 masks to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The masks are FDA approved and are expected to be shipped to the EMS team this coming Monday. The Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps is desperately in need of these masks and this donation will make a huge difference to them during this crisis.
A New Billboard in Kearny is Dedicated to a Local Doctor
{Photo credit: @kearnypoint}
A new public art project launched in Kearny to show creative appreciation for essential workers battling COVID-19. Kearny Point — a creative office campus home to 200+ small businesses in Kearny, N.J. — has commissioned artists Eve Biddle and Josh Frankel to create three 48-foot wide digital billboards applauding frontline workers.
The billboard images, which are visible from Truck Route 1/9 between Newark and Jersey City, illustrate an updated take on the iconic Rosie the Riveter, with a twist. In the image, Rosie is modeled after a woman named Frances, a doctor of physical therapy at NYU Langone Medical Center. She is representative of the thousands of brave individuals fighting to help those affected by the ongoing pandemic.
HDSID Jersey City Organizes a Virtual Community Building Event
HDSID Jersey City is a non-profit organization in the Historic Downtown District of JC that promotes and supports small businesses and plans community-building events. Every Wednesday at 4:00PM, HDSID will be hosting a weekly virtual Groove on Grove: At Home Music Series. Normally, Groove on Grove is a weekly meet up on Grove Street in Jersey City to listen to live music. Now, you can tune into Groove on Grove’s Facebook page to dance + enjoy some live music right from the safety of your home.
See More: This Farm Offers Goats to Join Your Zoom Calls + It’s The Best Thing Ever
Hoboken Green Team Celebrates Earth Day with Planet Saving Projects
{Photo credit: @hoboken_green}
This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The first Earth Day was on April 22nd,1970, which mobilized millions of Americans to protect the planet, and is what launched the modern environmental movement. To celebrate, the Hoboken Green Team is partnering with local Hoboken green businesses to get the community engaged in sustainability from home. The Hoboken Green Team has been posting a series on Instagram and Facebook throughout the week called “Celebrate Earth Day at Home,” including ideas for projects, recipes, and ways to reduce your carbon footprint. It was the perfect way to celebrate {virtually} and work towards a healthier, more sustainable Hoboken.
House of ‘Que in Hoboken Presents Country for a Cause
{Photo credit: @houseofque}
On Thursday, April 23rd, Hoboken’s own House of ‘Que teamed up with NJ country events to hold a virtual benefit concert. The performance was live on Instagram, and featured multiple country artists, including Lauren Davidson, DJ Big Country, and Jessica Rose. The concert not only boosted morale in the community with some live music, but also drew attention to the Front Line Appreciate Group. The concert gave out FLAG’s Venmo and encouraged listeners to support Hoboken and Jersey City’s front line workers with a donation.
Medical Workers Come from All Over The Country to Support Hoboken EMS
Several ambulances and emergency medical workers have come from all over the country to assist Hoboken EMTs. Normally the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp responds to about 400-500 calls per month — but that number rose to about 800 calls this past month. To support Hoboken during this time of high call volume, several EMTs traveled from as far as Indiana to the Mile Square to help out. Since the greater NYC area is the epicenter of the outbreak in the country, it’s heartwarming to see more and more people risking their own safety to lend a hand to Hudson County.
The Hudson County Hunger Project Feeds Those in Need
{Photo credit: @Hudsoncountyhungerproject}
This weekend marks the end of The Hudson County Hunger Project’s fourth week of feeding the community. The organization is composed of local restaurants and volunteers who were quick to act after restaurants and non-essential businesses were ordered to close down shop. They created a movement to support the community and local businesses by delivering food from local restaurants to Hudson County residents who are most vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic. They tag their heroic work with the slogan “We Got You, reinforcing the idea that our community is stronger together, even when we’re distanced.
Read More: 38 Virtual Events in Hoboken + Jersey City This Weekend {April 23rd-April 26th}
Hopefully, all this happy news brought you the perfect dose of cheer you needed to enjoy your weekend and prepare for the week to come. We hope the creative generosity of everyone in this post inspires you to give back to the community in whatever way you can, because sometimes helping others is the greatest medicine. Stay strong, Hudson County, as we fight through this together — while apart.
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