April 2020

Lightening the Burden The folks at Hollyway Cleaners kept hearing all the desperate pleas by doctors and nurses for vital PPE mate.  As Los Angles, CA was heading into another critical week, the need for face masks for all had become even more acute.   Using the resources Amin Amersi and his team had, they did what they could to fill the demand and help protect the most vulnerable among us.  Guided by the simple idea that “no one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of others in need” they joined with an organization called “Quilt From Heart” to make vitally needed masks for St Jude Hospitals, LAPD, and assisted living facilities throughout the Southland.   Dry cleaning and sanitizing in Greenearth all the fabric and materials, pressing all the materials,  and then using guidelines from the CDC for their tailors to make masks.  They’ve obtained special filters that are placed and sewn very carefully without permeating the membrane of the fabric.  These special masks are used for cancer patients who are children and are some of the most vulnerable in our population. Loads Of Hope We’re giving loads of props to Tide Cleaners for their Loads of Hope initiative. Taking place at select participating locations, the franchise group is putting first responders and their families first by providing free laundry and dry cleaning all of April and into the month of May. These are challenging days for everyone, but the healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, etc., within our communities are experiencing this all on the front lines, risking the health and safety of both themselves and their loved ones. Tide’s gesture to “help lighten the load” for these heroes is some definite #MondayMotivation as we make our way through this unprecedented time together. We appreciate the work the folks at Tide Cleaners have put into this campaign and are excited to see the response it’s getting. Long time Affiliate, Kyle Nesbit, was able to provide us with some awesome images of smiling faces taking part in the Load of Hope initiative. We were also excited to see a GreenEarth Affiliate’s commercial on National T.V. during 60 Minutes last night. Here is that T.V. spot for your viewing pleasure.   Protecting First Responders  NextGen Cleaners & Alterations has their thoughts on first responders during this time as well. The San Jose, California-based Affiliate is now offering free dry cleaning for all emergency personnel uniforms.  The attire these folks wear is exposed to any number of things day in and day out as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. As we’ve reported in our previous communication, the GreenEarth System’s use of higher-than-normal temperatures has proven to inactivate most bacteria and viruses. NextGen is doing an impactful job not only providing a free service but also giving front line men and women added peace of mind. Way to go, Emil and team!

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”

For every country, things change every day; never more so than now. Dealing with a pandemic is a tremendous challenge in itself, but further consequences (particularly how we cope both physically and mentally) are also difficult to overcome. Here at GreenEarth, we have been looking for a variety of coping mechanisms that can apply to you, your family and your customers. Having concerns about the virus is of course rational. But people also have concerns about their businesses, their jobs, living in isolation, adjusting to working from home, homeschooling, being on complete lockdown, and of course, adjusting to being with your household 24/7…or indeed a few of the above. There are three areas to focus on whilst dealing with the ‘new normal’ of isolated living: 1: Physical wellbeing: You might be used to a little exercise or a lot. Either way, spending a significant amount of time at home can mean that you may end up not being as fit, flexible and even put on a few pounds. U.K. Fitness guru Joe Wicks has set up a Physical Education class every morning at 9 am (U.K. time), aimed at children but challenging enough for adults. Also, he gives advice on how to make the exercise harder, so that the fittest can work at their own pace. Lasting for 30mins, it’s a good way to start the day both physically and mentally. You can join live or catch up via YouTube. For those who are looking for regular but gentler exercise try some stretches or armchair exercises. The NHS website in the UK provides some great exercises. 2. Nutrition is clearly important for both physical and mental wellbeing. With certain grocery items difficult to get ahold of, keeping to your usual diet can be difficult. Also, balance can be difficult, trying to use up fresh ingredients before they’re past their best and being able to make room in the freezer for extra portions. For recipes of 5 ingredients or less, take a look at the BBC Good Food Website. Life Hack: Freeze any wedges or slices of orange, lemon or lime on a tray in the freezer and once frozen and return to the freezer. It can be used in cooking and they also make a great flavored ice-cube for a gin and tonic! 3. Mental Health: Some of the impacts are more around mental health as much as they are physical. For all the reasons around rational concerns regarding the virus, from isolation to feeling crowded, this can leave people with feelings of anxiety, depression, and frustration. AnxietyUK recommends the following the APPLE technique to help cope, which consists of the following: Acknowledge: Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind. Pause: Don’t react as you normally do. Don’t react at all. Pause and breathe. Pull back: Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts. Let go: Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud. Explore: Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else – on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry or do something else – mindfully with your full attention. For further advice and support, visit https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ Mental health charity Mind also has a lot of support for people to cope with “staying at home,” including practical advice, checklists and self-care. The charity provides a lot of information on their website to deal with how anxious you feel about the virus and how it might affect you, through to practical advice about staying at home. The advice covers nutrition/hydration, you and your medication, your care needs or if you care for others, how to relax and be creative, and much more. And don’t forget to have some fun, using your social media channels positively. Keeping abreast of the news can be useful but put simply, too much can be too much. Many performers and artists are now broadcasting via YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – take a look and you might find something of interest. If you need any support from the GreenEarth family, please do reach out to us. Take care and stay safe!