supplies for first responders in Princeton
Princeton residents Xiaobing Li (l) and Cecilia Birge (r) with some of the items that were donated for the Princeton Chinese Community COVID-19 relief effort.

As we wrap up our COVID-19 relief effort, we want to take the opportunity to thank all our supporters again for being such an important part of this community effort. In the past few weeks, we have been profoundly touched by your generosity, our medical providers’ sense of professionalism and strength, our first responders’ determination, and the kindness of all who we have encountered including all our donors, vendors, and volunteers. Following, we have listed a few details and highlights of our initiative:

The total value of our contribution exceeded $62,000. Over $26,000 was in cash, the vast majority of which was used to purchase PPE. The total collections of PPE, food, and daily essentials accounted for about $36,000.

As of April 27, we have donated approximately 3,000 pieces of N95 masks, 32,000 other masks, over 21,000 pieces of gloves as well as hundreds of boots, coveralls, hoods, face shields, and other PPE. Members of the Organizing Committee also donated $1,440 worth of dumplings to all the Chinese students who have been stranded on campus at Princeton
University.

Given the fast-changing policies with the vendors, shipping companies, complications in clearing customs, and confusing market conditions, we are particularly proud of the fact that all the products we donated were of the highest quality, with proper and verified paperwork. The recipients of our donations are diverse. They include 14 major hospitals, more than 30
medical clinics, 20 senior centers, as well as other local organizations. Our largest donations went to Capital Health Hospital, Columbia University Hospital, RWJ at Hamilton, Holy Name Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Penn Medicine at Plainsboro, and Princeton first responders. With the support of our police department and the Princeton
Department of Health, non-medical grade equipment such as personal masks have been distributed to various community organizations, including Trenton Volunteers for Seniors, Caring Connection, Acorn Assisted Living, Princeton Care Center, Princeton Community Housing, and others.

It is also important to note that with five different drop-off locations, our food collection is perhaps the largest in recent memory. Share My Meals and other organizations were able to make special meals and Easter treats for the families in need with our donations. It was heartwarming to see the ear-to-ear smiles on the volunteers’ faces when we delivered the carloads of food and daily essentials.

As we conclude our initiative, the fund balance is $6,413.29 as of April 27. The Organizing Committee has decided to donate $1,000 each of the following three organizations: Princeton Children’s Fund, Share My Meals, and Princeton Senior Resource Center. The final balance of $3, 413.29 will be donated to Princeton Public Schools, designated to support all children on
the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

As a final note, we want to thank you for the opportunity to help coordinate this meaningful initiative. Our combined efforts helped address some of the desperate needs in our hospitals and community, especially when our government was slow in responding to the pandemic in the early stages. Even though this letter marks the end of the initiative organized by the Princeton Chinese Community, we will and encourage all to continue to be involved. There is much to be done before we can return to “normal”.

We wish that you and your family stay safe and healthy!

With much gratitude,
The Princeton Chinese Community COVID-19 Relief Organizing Committee