Good Things are Happening in Ventura (Part 2 of Many)

by Visit Ventura

COVID-19 is changing everyone’s lives. But this is not the first time the lives of Venturans have been thrown off-kilter. Let’s be honest. Yes, it’s scary and uncertain. But Ventura knows what to do. And we are not alone. Across the country, so many communities are defining the word community in all the right ways. Grocery clerks are stocking shelves through the night and the stores are letting the elderly shop first. Restaurants and schools are using their kitchens and staff to feed kids. NBA players are writing checks to pay arena staff. Private companies have turned their production lines to making ventilators. We can all draw inspiration — and a sense of humor (like this sidewalk chalk inscription; It’s okay if you ate all ur snacks) — from the good and creative acts of so many. Here’s another look at how Venturans are rising up and doing what Ashley Pope puts with goose-pimpling simplicity. “We are never alone because we’re in Ventura.”   A group of Ventura Unified School District students are making face shields for local doctors and nurses who desperately need protective gear. The non-profit organization is known as STEMbassadors. What they really are are talented kids working from home using 3D printers to make face shields, as many as 30 to 40 a day. “It’s high school, middle school, and even elementary school kids who are doing this,” said Alex Wulff, the De Anza DATA Middle School teacher who founded STEMbassadors. “I couldn’t be more proud of them… If we can make the tiniest difference, that’s what we want to do.” The clear Plexiglass sheets they use are being provided by several different companies, including American Plastics and FASTSIGNS in Ventura. STEMbassadors is collecting donations, including materials and 3D printers. To help, or make a donation, please email Alex Wulff. For more information on STEMbassadors click here.   The Amanzi Hotel donated school supplies to children on Ventura’s Westside. The Westside Community Council is continuing to collect goods and fundraise for sorely needed school supplies. If you have any new or unused school supplies and want to donate them, please text or call WCC Chair James Forsythe.   The Westside Community Council is also helping to organize donations of masks and protective eye goggles; they recently dropped off over 100 masks and several eye protective goggles for use at Ventura County Medical Center. The WCC is accepting donations of any personal protective gear like N95 masks and goggles. If you have any self-made masks with pockets for filters, they’ll take those too. Again, please contact James Forsythe if you have questions or wish to donate.

 

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A post shared by Craft Spirits from California (@venturaspirits) on Mar 26, 2020 at 3:43pm PDT

Also on our West Side, Ventura Spirits and Noble Laboratories are making hand sanitizer for the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services. They’re also making batches for other local first-responders and healthcare workers.  

 

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A post shared by Native Pizza (@native.pizza) on Mar 25, 2020 at 8:37am PDT

Native Pizza is delivering free pizza to local hospitals — their “pay it forward” initiative. If you’d like to help boost their gratitude, for every large pizza you sponsor, they’ll match it with a second large pizza and deliver those pizzas to local hospitals and medical centers. Give them a call.  

 

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A post shared by Channel Islands Juice Co. (@cijuiceco) on Mar 29, 2020 at 4:22pm PDT

Channel Islands Juice Company donated a case of wellness shots to doctors and nurses at Community Memorial Hospital. Juices and wellness shots were also funded by good Ventura samaritans.     Inspired by these good deeds? Here’s a fine way to start getting involved yourself … Ventura County currently needs thermometers. New (great) and used (acceptable). Temporal infrared thermometers are preferred but any will be accepted. They will go to the Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital. The non-contact drop off is 765 Saratoga Ave, Ventura 93003. Questions? Please email .