Who’s in the Mood for Good News? Generosity and Beauty in the Bay Area During COVID-19

 

Everyday heroes plus Steph Curry, W. Kamau Bell, and Misty Copeland inspire the East Bay

 
Burned out by the 24/7 coronavirus news cycle? Biting your nails while obsessively scrolling through social media and worrying about toilet paper shortages? It’s time for a healthy dose of good news.

We collected inspiring, fun, and funny reports from around the East Bay because, frankly, we needed a break, too. Fortunately, it was easy to round up positive reports because the region is filled with good people – from East Bay celebrities to café owners to kids – doing great things.

If you have local good news to add, please get in touch!

 

#FeedTheFirst

Generous donors raised more than $15,000 for the #FeedTheFirst campaign started by Best Coast Burritos co-founder Alvin Shen and Abio Properties!

Donations go toward buying BCB meals for local first responders and emergency staff on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Abio pledged to match the first 200 burritos donated.

This is a great way to support a local small business struggling during a time of need while also supporting local heroes who expose themselves to risk every day.

To get involved, click this GoFundMe link.

 

Steph Curry Surprises Oakland Nurses with Uplifting Call

Warriors superstar/East Bay celebrity legend Steph Curry made a surprise Facetime call to Summit Medical Center, where he spoke with ICU nurse Shelby Delaney, who wears Curry's Warriors kit under her scrubs to "summon my inner warrior," according to CNN.

"He thanked me and my colleagues for all our hard work on the frontlines during this pandemic. And I was finally able to thank him for all the inspiration and strength he's given me over the years,” she wrote on Facebook.

 

East Bay Restaurants Feed the Homeless

Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, owned by Rick Mitchell and Maria Alderete in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood, launched Community Kitchens Oakland to provide hundreds of meals for the homeless during the shelter-in-place lockdown.

As the Mercury News reported, Community Kitchens Oakland is a network of restaurants that is collecting donations to feed vulnerable populations while also keeping their staffs employed.

Boxed meals have been going to the East Oakland Collective and Berkeley Free Clinic for distribution. More than $16,000 has been raised!

To donate, click on this GoFundMe link.

 

Comedian W. Kamau Bell of Berkeley Launches Masks Fundraiser

Responding to reports that African American and Latino neighborhoods in the United States are hit harder by the coronavirus, comedian W. Kamau Bell of Berkeley joined civil rights leader and pastor Michael McBride to raise $1 million for “Masks For The People.”

They hope to provide 250,000 N95 masks, one million surgical masks, and about 50,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to the disproportionately affected populations.

To learn more and donate, go to LiveFreeUSA.org.

 

Creative Support for Destiny Arts Center

Abio Properties Realtor Shannon Prokup is helping promote an April 17 fundraiser for Destiny Arts Center, an Oakland-based nonprofit committed to inspiring and igniting social change through the arts.

Destiny Arts works with thousands of school children throughout the East Bay, providing self-confidence boosting martial arts and dance programs. The organization is committed to offering virtual classes and keeping its teachers employed (94% are artists of color) during shelter-in-place.

However, Destiny Arts had to cancel its crucial annual fundraising gala set for May. Instead, the public is invited to a Virtual Community Gala held on Zoom at April 17 at 5 p.m.

Special guests include prima ballerina Misty Copeland. Get details here. Registration for the live Zoom party is free, but donations toward the $165,000-fundraising goal are encouraged.

Watch Shannon’s video interview with executive director Archie Nagraj here.

 

Kicking In for Piedmont Crossing Guards

Piedmont parents and neighbors are kicking in big-hearted donations to support community crossing guards who are out of work now that schools have closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers raised more than $12,800 for the eight crossing guards so far.

To help them reach their goal of $15,000, click on this GoFundMe link.

 

Sour Social Distancing – In a Good Way

Berkeleyside reported that social distancing (and a yeast shortage) has given rise to a community sourdough starter project in Berkeley.

Read all about @breadforberkeley here.

 

Just for Fun: Hilarious Zoom Fail

Yeah, you’ve probably heard by now about the Zoom bomber who exposed himself to Berkeley High students during an online meeting. Class act.

But have you seen this new SNL sketch, and can you relate?

 

Bonus: Abio Properties WFH

Here is what we are doing during Quarantine! from Abio Properties on Vimeo.

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At Abio Properties, it's our mission not only to help you find your dream home but also show you why that home should be in the East Bay. We love highlighting the people and places that make our communities extraordinary, especially during these trying times of coronavirus. Please chime in with your own good news and stories by contacting us at 888-400-ABIO (2246) or [email protected].