Paying it Forward by Making it Safe

Weekend Wrap Message – Saturday, November 28, 2020, from David Brinkman, Desert AIDS Project CEO

New cases of COVID are increasing around us, and we continue to expand services for our community as we wonder if we can always purchase PPE for our health workers. But when one humanitarian decides to pay it forward in this Valley, it can have a ripple effect that helps thousands.  Thanks to Jose Villanueva, CEO of Everrank Inc., DAP received 10,000 masks, including 1,000 KN95 masks to help keep our clinicians and our patients protected.  

“I’ve been given so much,” he said. “I wanted to give back to this community after seeing how much need there is.” 

Mr. Villanueva’s generosity is touching all of Riverside County, with a total of 500,000 masks that will be distributed to healthcare and community organizations, a donation costing $163,000.00.   

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez put it best on Monday at a press conference on our campus announcing this truly inspiring donation: 

“Wearing a mask is not a political statement. It is an act of service; it is an act of caring; it is an act of love towards your neighbor,” Supervisor Perez said. “It is a simple requirement to protect ourselves and all those around us.” 

If you are getting together with friends at home, or traveling during the rest of this holiday, the CDC has a useful health resource online that can help you to make the best choices for safety. You can access it here.