High School Student Launches GoFundMe To Aid Stamford Hospital

STAMFORD, CT — For the past year, high school sophomore Clerin John has enjoyed volunteering at Stamford Hospital, where she would help stock the kitchens and spend time talking with cardiac patients in need of company, the latter being her personal favorite part of the job.

As Connecticut continues to grapple with the new coronavirus, John, 15, is unable to help out at the hospital for the time being. In response, she has found a way to help the hospital from a safe distance by launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for personal protective equipment (PPE). (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

John said she was inspired to launch the campaign after reading about the need for volunteers as the state attempts to mitigate the spread of the virus, also referred to as COVID-19.

"For a few days, I was thinking about ways I could help the Stamford Hospital," John said in an email to Patch. "Eventually, I [decided] to create a GoFundMe that would help them fund for PPE."

According to the campaign's description, the money raised will benefit the Stamford Hospital Health Foundation Inc., and all donations will go directly to the hospital to help order PPE, such as gloves, face masks and disposable gowns.

"Together we can make a positive impact during this chaotic situation," the campaign's description reads. "Your help of any amount can help doctors and nurses serve the community with no fear."

As of Wednesday afternoon, the page has raised nearly $850 toward a $10,000 goal thanks to contributions from 15 donors.

John is currently a student at the Academy of Information, Technology and Engineering (AITE) in Stamford. While she came up with the idea for the GoFundMe herself, John said she reached out to teachers at the school and asked them to help by donating to the page and sharing it on social media.

Like all Stamford schools, AITE is currently instructing its students through distance learning following orders from Gov. Ned Lamont that schools in Connecticut remain closed until at least April 20, and possibly longer.

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In John's opinion, this method of learning has been going fairly well.

"We have our normal daily schedule," John said, "and for most of my classes we communicate through Google Hangouts or Zoom. Using these online platforms, we are able to learn everything that we would in a regular school day, except at home."

Though she noted her workload can occasionally be a little heavier during this period, John expressed gratitude toward AITE for keeping the remainder of the school year running smoothly.

"I am grateful for the hard work that the teachers and administration has been putting forth to help us finish the third quarter and come to the close of this school year," John said. "I am not sure when school will re-open, but whatever happens I am sure we will get through this."

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

As the city, the state and the nation continue to make adjustments to combat the spread of the virus, John asks that people keep doctors, nurses and other first responders in mind and do whatever is possible to keep them safe too.

"These doctors and nurses are sacrificing their lives for us and they need our help," John said. "They desperately need PPE so that they can stay safe and keep their families healthy. Please, if you can, donate so that we can help those who are working tirelessly to save lives."

To donate to John's GoFundMe campaign, click here.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.