Showing Gratitude
Over the last few months, we have come together as a community, as a nation, to show support for our Front Line Workers. We’ve sewn masks, donated money, dropped food and helped acquire PPE. The Blue Angels flew over New Orleans to show appreciation for Healthcare workers which was both entertaining and inspiring.
Frontline Kites
A friend of my son, Isabelle (12), watched the Blue Angels fly and was inspired to continue to thank Front Line Workers. She started brainstorming and created Frontline Kites.
“It all started with a trip to the levee in New Orleans, LA with my family to see the Blue Angels fly by to thank frontline workers fighting the Covid-19 virus. While we waited, my sister and I flew a kite and was talking to my dad about my idea for people to fly kites as a symbol of thanks to frontline workers. I explained that the kites could be seen by the frontline workers without them actually needing to go out to a location and we could thank more than one group at the same time. This would also allow more people to join in thanking the frontline workers while staying socially distant. My dad talked with his friend and together we created frontlinekites.com.”
Who are Front Line Workers?
Front Line workers are those who have jobs that interact with the public regularly and may come in contact with members of our community that are sick. They go to work every day, despite the risks to ensure the rest of us have access to essential services. Healthcare workers, social workers, bank branch employees, retail employees, postal workers, firefighters, police and first-responders, truck drivers and grocery store associates, restaurant staff, and childcare providers are all Front Line Workers.
Why Fly Kites?
Kites make people happy. Looking up into the sky and seeing a kite inevitably makes people smile. It’s also a great way to practice social distancing; you can’t get too close or your kites will tangle! Flying kites for Front Line workers is a great way to say THANK YOU and point those smiles directly at the members of our community who put themselves at risk for us.
Isabelle’s Goal of Thanks
Isabelle’s mission is to get over 2 million kites in the air, worldwide, to represent the number of people who have recovered from the Covid-19 virus. Besides flying kites, she wants to raise $25,000 to help secure more PPE and support for all Front Line workers. She has partnered with Americares to help reach that goal.
What If I Don’t Have a Kite?
Frontline Kites has a list of resources on their website to help you make your own kite as well as places to buy one before the big day. What a fun family project to sit down and make your own kite as you share gratitude for those that have served us for the last 10+ weeks. It’s not only a great family activity, but it’s a perfect conversation starter. We aren’t sure what the future holds for COVID-19 in our community, but we can be certain that the Front Line workers will be at their stations, supporting us. Let’s not forget to keep the gratitude going.
When Do We Fly our Kites?
Recently, Jefferson Parish has officially designated June 14th as “Fly a Kite” day as a result of Isabelle’s efforts. Join my family with your kites June 14, 2020 at 12 noon (your timezone) and together let’s all show our support in thanking all Front Line workers.
