Looking For Near West Side Helpers!

It’s been hard to stay on task and focus since the news and spread of the Coronavirus last week. Like many organizations, most of our team at Near West Side Partners started working offsite on Monday, March 16.

It has been challenging to make the adjustment of being away from my colleagues and my implicit desire to help our community. Luckily (and gratefully) I have the right job and support to take action!

I began efforts to coordinate a donation program to help the disabled or senior residents of College Court and Merrill Park. We developed a coordinated plan to collect and deliver the supplies beginning on Monday, March 23rd. By mid-morning, the Governor requested all people to remain home to mitigate the spread of germs.

Now what?

The Near West Side Ambassadors have been deemed essential employees for the seven neighborhoods. They will continue to work at the Harley-Davidson Waypoint office where we’ve requested folks to drop-off supplies. This means you can donate cleaning and personal care products to be distributed to a group of residents who are most vulnerable to becoming ill and not able to access needed resources.

The very first donor was Central Standard Distillery, whose warehouse and distillery is located on West Clybourn Avenue in the Avenues West neighborhood contributed a case of their “home-made antiseptic”!

I am counting on my neighbors in all the corners of the Near West Side to help out. Let’s continue to make the Near West Side a great place to live, work and play. Details to contribute to the supply drive:

• Hand Sanitizer, disinfectant wipes

• Paper towels, toilet paper

• Hand lotion, hand soap

• Laundry detergent, bleach

• Multivitamins

• Disposable gloves

• Toothpaste

If you are interested in participating, beginning Monday:

• Take your donations to the Near West Side Waypoint office:

• Hours are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

• A bin will be placed outside the office where you can put your donation

• The office (1201Q) is located at 35th St. & Juneau Ave. (drive into the Harley-Davidson parking lot from Juneau Ave.)

We will deliver the products to each site on a regular schedule determined by their leadership. This process is in place to reduce exposure to all Near West Side and Housing Authority staff and residents. Do not take supplies to the housing sites.

Two other options to help brighten resident’s day:

• Asking your children to create a piece of art to hang in their apartments

• Design or find a card to share thoughts of happiness and hope

Regarding food donations, we ask you to support The Hunger Task Force or other organizations which address hunger in Milwaukee. At this time, the state will not allow food drives. You can volunteer help to stock boxes or pantries, donations of hand sanitizer, gloves or financial contributions are needed most. Use the above link to go directly to the The Hunger Task Force website.

With many thanks for taking care of our Near West Side community and in good health,

Barb Scotty, Near West Side Partners Neighborhood Coordinator.