Oakfield resident Ben Macdonald, 39, travels to Erie County each day as a General Manager for West Herr, their service departments are open as a part of essential services.
After hearing about the struggles that medical staff and first responders are going through, he wanted to help in some way.
“I was watching the news yesterday and started tearing up. Erie county has been hit really hard, I know so many people working in hospitals right now that say it’s hard to get a way for lunch.”
So Macdonald contacted a friend, the owner of Sport of Kings, and they suggested the easiest way to do a lunch was bringing everything to them. He suggested Center Street Smoke House as they have two trucks to serve lunch with.
Macdonald then set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds as a community to provide a meal for the medical staff and first responders that are on duty or around UMMC. They are now $235 from their goal of $2,000.
“We’re hoping to feed every single working person in the hospital. This community loves their own, no matter the background, race, religion or political view, we’re truly in this together,” says Macdonald.
The meal is planned for April 3, 2020 from 11am-2pm to spread out the time for the workers.
Macdonald says he is just a married guy with three kids during this difficult time.
“I know we’re going to get through this if we stick together, families, communities and everyone I come in contact with. My kids are watching my every move during this difficult time, I know they won’t forget one moment of this time.”
Macdonald’s son Gabe is a senior at Notre Dame High School.
“We talk everyday about this happening and how it’s imparting the world. I’m just trying to do my very small part to help put a smile on someone’s face everyday. We have a saying at work I’ve adopted in my life, “Be the sun.”