NewsLocal News

Actions

Local woman offers condo to healthcare workers, asking others to do the same

Posted at 6:34 PM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-31 18:34:48-04

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — We continue to see acts of kindness as we work through the Coronavirus pandemic.

One Cape Coral woman is stepping up to help our healthcare workers by offering them a place to stay.

"They are putting their life on the line for us, and our families, our children, our grandchildren," said Patricia Hinshaw Dershem.

Hinshaw wants to help those on the frontlines of the coronavirus battle by offering them her Cape Coral condo.

"I want to donate it to someone who wants to keep their family safe and needs a soft place to fall where they can get the rest that they need to continue to take care of us," said Hinshaw.

This idea sparked after Hinshaw saw pictures on social media of what some healthcare workers are doing to protect their families.

"I saw one gentleman quarantining himself in the garage of his home in a tent," said Hinshaw.

Hinshaw is offering her condo to healthcare workers who want to take precautionary measures on their own to protect their families.
She's willing to offer her condo for as long as it's needed.

"This is one small way that I can give back and help," said Hinshaw.

But Hinshaw says she can't do it alone — she's hoping it could become a collaborative effort among the community and healthcare system.

"What I'm hoping is I can get other individuals who are fortunate like myself that we have other homes that maybe we can donate our homes to the healthcare system," said Hinshaw.

She still has some logistics to work out, but she feels strongly about this.

Why? Well, she has a background in healthcare.

"You know, once a caregiver, always a caregiver, so I just want to find a place in this crisis where we can all come together and help in any way that we can," said Hinshaw.

To find out how you can help and for more information, you can email Patricia Hinshaw Dershem to padershem@aol.com, using "Patti's Plea" in the subject line.