Pingry Students Deliver 'Care-Full' Packages Amid Coronavirus

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A group of Pingry School students in Basking Ridge have joined together to start a community service project titled "Care-Full", which supports local communities as they battle the coronavirus pandemic.

"When COVID-19 hit New Jersey, we were concerned about the limited availability of Personal Protective Equipment. It became evident that many in our community would be struggling financially and might not have access to masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers; we knew this problem would only be exacerbated in the coming months. So, we organized means to supply these necessities and created a new organization: Care-Full," said Kristin Osika, an incoming junior at Pingry.

Osika along with Andrew Wong, Eva Schiller, and Noah Bergam started the service project, which creates and distributes care packages to under-served populations throughout Central and Northern New Jersey.

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The care packages consist of a 30 ml bottle of hand sanitizer, three face masks, and a pair of disposable gloves, as well as an originally-designed pamphlet on how to stay safe during the pandemic.

"Distributing our care packages is an important step to ensuring the health and well-being of our community during these difficult times. Helping our community through Care-Full has been especially rewarding, as we know our efforts are significantly appreciated by the under-served and susceptible populations receiving our care packages," Osika said.

Osika went on to note, that in most public places, PPE is mandatory and can be difficult for some to obtain.

"By providing PPE in our care packages, we ensure everyone, no matter socioeconomic status or age, can visit public locations and go outside without difficulty or fear," Osika said.

Care-Full is looking to raise money and awareness in order to create and distribute more care packages. To help out this initiative or to learn more about Care-Full visit care-full.org.

• Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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