Fifteen-year-old Eagle Scout Fletcher Horne wanted to do something to help with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, so he established an Eagle Scout project to raise funds to provide hot meals to the staff at South Central Regional who are on the front line.
Horne set up a GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/f/feedthefrontline-laurel, on Saturday, April 4 and within 24 hours raised over $5,000.
Horne said he got the idea after his father, Dr. Mark Horne, who is the chief medical officer at SCRMC, told him that he bought breakfast for some of the staff members one morning and what an encouragement that was to them.
“I thought that if we were to do that more often, what an encouragement that would be for them,” said Fletcher. The idea was confirmed after seeing a news report on television where a woman in Chicago was doing the same thing at one of the hospitals there. He started working on establishing the project, and by Saturday, after getting permission to develop the idea as an Eagle Scout Project, he launched the GoFundMe page.
“The doctors, nurses and all workers at SCRMC are putting in long hours and risking their lives to save ours,” wrote Fletcher on the Gofundme page. “They are making great sacrifices and taking personal risks to do their job. I should know, my dad is chief medical officer at SCRMC, and I see firsthand what a toll this has taken on frontline workers.”
He continued, “Many SCRMC workers do not have adequate access to food during their shift. Dietary Services is limited during this time and closes at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Late shift workers don’t get to eat in the cafeteria, because it closes at 8:30 p.m. That’s why I want to do something to give them encouragement and show our appreciation. I also know that our local restaurants are struggling financially; I want to help them too. Let’s, as a community, show SCRMC staff some love with a hot meal from our favorite local restaurants!”
Fletcher has already discussed with the hospital administration ways that he and his fellow members of Boy Scout Troop #33 can deliver the food contact-free to ensure everyone’s safety. The hospital administration will decide on departments and schedule delivery dates and times.
“Currently, we have two deliveries tentatively scheduled for next Saturday, and because of your generous donations, we have added Easter Sunday as well,” he added. “We will continue to add new delivery dates as donations allow. Additionally, any leftover funds will be donated to the South Central Healthcare Foundation, which can be used to buy essential items for the hospital.”
To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/feedthefrontline-laurel.
“Share the GoFundMe page with friends, co-workers, classmates, and anyone! This is the time to come together and help our neighbors,” exclaimed Fletcher.