Thank you.
AJ Barnett.
Custodian, West Valley School District.
"There were rumors of it in Spokane. We were going crazy trying to disinfect every single thing." AJ and the custodian crew at West Valley School District had their work cut out for them the week of March 8. At that time, COVID-19 hadn't officially shown up in Eastern Washington, and AJ, like so many custodians in our area, was hoping to keep it that way. "We went through every school in our district with approved disinfectant and hit all our buildings in a week - which is pretty good."
Now, with schools closed at least until mid-April, AJ is focusing on keeping the kitchen clean at Pasadena Park Elementary School. It's one of the locations where WVSD staff are bagging and distributing hundreds of grab-and-go lunches for kids, with similar happening at school districts everywhere.
John Christiansen.
Coach operator, Spokane Transit Authority.
From 60 riders to 3, it only took a couple weeks for John's daily bus route from Cheney to Spokane to practically disappear. As a Coach Operator, John is an essential worker that helps other essential workers keep society moving. "The atmosphere is real quiet. We're doing social distancing. Riders enter and exit through the back door." John is doing his part to stop the spread of the virus, "I follow exactly what the Governor says. I wash my hands every single trip. Every trip I take, to and from, I wash my hands."
John also does his part to keep spirits high "I've seen a lot of things: 9/11... the crash of 2008... this is gonna be another one of our episodes. We've gotten through every one of them. This is what I tell my sons and family members. That's my advice. Take it a day at a time."
Brett Crownover.
Assistant manager, Yoke’s Fresh Market.
All over our city, state, and nation, grocery store employees are working hard to stay stocked and sanitized. One of those employees is Brett Crownover. He saw the tide turn on the afternoon of March 12 at the Sprague store when, "We ran out of toilet paper for the first time - ever." Keeping up with shoppers has Brett and others working extra hours, "I've had to work 12 hour shifts. One Sunday I opened the store at 6 am, finished my shift at 5 pm - then came back to help with a delivery from 10:30 pm until 3:30 am."
But Brett and his team, like many others, are happy to do what it takes to support our community, "When we scheduled our people for extra shifts or extra hours there was no question. Everyone jumped in with no complaints. They're going above and beyond and still giving outstanding service."
Ryan Hansen.
Tri-Cities Uber Eats driver.
“I was working at a fine-dining restaurant when Governor Inslee gave the ‘Stay home, Stay safe’ order – everyone was laid off.”
A full-time student at Columbia Basin College, Ryan Hansen was paying for school with his restaurant gig. In one weekend, everything changed. “I already had the Uber Eats app downloaded on my phone. I thought ‘might as well deliver food.’” One day after being laid off, Ryan was delivering about 20 meals a day to homes in Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco.
At Ryan’s first delivery, “I dropped it off at the door, and they called me a saint.” Now, Ryan delivers about 20 meals a day, mostly in the afternoon and evening so he can attend college. Uber Eats created a “Leave at door” option.
“Some people act like nothing is different. But older customers want it dropped off at the door.”
Wade DeGeest.
Delivery driver, UPS.
"Traffic on arterials is way down, but residential streets are filled with dog walkers and stroller pushers," Wade says when asked about noticeable differences on his route. With more people staying at home, interactions have changed too. He still gets to see his favorite dogs, but is also greeted with well-wishes, thanks, and "stay safe" messages from the windows of his customers.
"I've been delivering my route in North Spokane for nearly 23 years; I feel like this is my community. They look out for me and I look out for them." Deliveries of paper products and disinfectants have increased, but customers are helping him stay safe, even bringing out a brand new container of disinfectant wipes, sanitizer, and toilet paper wrapped in ribbon.
"As far as crisis goes, UPS just keeps going. They are a machine that just keeps turning. I'm grateful to be working and serving my community, getting them the things they need to stay healthy and safe."
Wally Painter.
Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Wally's been delivering food to home-bound and disabled seniors in Spokane for five years, towing a trailer full of hot meals behind his trusty gravel bike.
"I'm on the bike 95% of the time," he says. "It's easier for me to deal with downtown. Parking fees and one-way streets make delivering in a car a bit of challenge."
While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Meals on Wheels to alter some operations out of a concern for both seniors and volunteers, Wally knows that the organization's mission of providing nutrition and human contact is more important than ever.
"Everyone's real happy to see you. Just being able to visit with someone during this challenging time is sometimes more important than the food," he says.
"The folks we deliver to are vulnerable," says Wally. "They need us, and we're there for them."