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STARS CELEBRATE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY WITH PROJECT ANGEL FOOD AND THE EVEREST FOUNDATION
STARS CELEBRATE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY WITH PROJECT ANGEL FOOD AND THE EVEREST FOUNDATION
Event highlights Everest Foundation’s new Telephone Angels Program supporting the critically ill in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA - (February 17, 2021) - Rachel Lindsay (The Bachelorette, Extra), Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds), Eileen Davidson(Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Young & the Restless), and Project Angel Food board member Juan Pablo Di Pace (DWTS, Dashing in December), joined Project Angel Food and The Everest Foundation to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
These celebrity Telephone Angels made calls to critically ill clients as a way to ease the intense loneliness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were joined by Project Angel Food Executive Director Richard Ayoub and Dr. Michael Everest, Chairman of the Everest Foundation, which sponsors The Everest Foundation Telephone Angels Program. After gathering via Zoom to discuss the program and their calls, this is what participants had to say:
- Eileen Davidson: “I am amazed at everybody’s attitude. Everyone I talked to, in spite of their medical conditions, are very positive and very grateful for Project Angel Food, the food they get, the calls they get, and the love they get. I love the Telephone Angels concept and am so excited to be a part of it. I’m in awe of how positive everyone is, especially during this pandemic.”
- Kirsten Vangsness: “It’s amazing to think how much of an impact you can make in just 15 minutes, just to spend a little time. It’s amazing just to talking with another human to discover how much in common there is with us all.”
- Juan Pablo Di Pace: “Everyone I talked too felt secure, and with Project Angel Food, they feel looked after and cared for. They are in a good, comfortable place, and this is just awesome to hear.”
- Rachel Lindsay: “I spoke with one client who said he feels a lot of support from Project Angel Food. He is recovering from COVID, and pneumonia from COVID, and his doctor said he’s tough and he can get through it. I said, ‘That’s right! You are a tough cookie; you’ve got this. I don’t need to worry about you.’”
- Dr. Everest: “Being involved in this project has given me a great sense of humility and brings joy and satisfaction to me and my family. I am very proud of Project Angel Food, as it’s very important to bring a human connection, especially during these unprecedented times.”
- Richard Ayoub: “When Project Angel Food began, our founder, Marianne Williamson, said, ‘we are not just delivering meals, we are delivering love.” These calls are part of the love.”
In addition to the phone calls, Dr. Everest labeled meals with messages of support to the 2,300 people receiving meals today from Project Angel Food, personally delivered meals to clients in the Hollywood area and, announced that in addition to sponsoring The Everest Foundation Telephone Angels program, he would sponsor a new van to help Project Angel Food keep up with the demand of increase meal deliveries due to the pandemic.
TELEPHONE ANGELS
Project Angel Food began piloting Telephone Angels program in April 2020. In addition to their regular meal deliveries, this program pairs volunteers with Project Angel Food clients who identify with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Volunteers connect with clients over the phone for weekly or twice-weekly social check-ins. Volunteers do not offer medical advice or psychological counseling, simply camaraderie and friendship. Since the pilot program launched, 90 percent of the people participating have said their mood has improved because of the calls. Through its generous fiscal sponsorship, The Everest Foundation ensures the program can expand to more Project Angel Food clients, while also providing adequate recruitment and training for volunteers.
PROJECT ANGEL FOOD
From its kitchen in Los Angeles, Project Angel Food provides medically tailored meals to 2,300 people per day who are living with life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. The organization has prepared and delivered over 13-million meals since its founding in 1989 in response to the AIDS; and over a million in 2020alone in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE EVEREST FOUNDATION
The Everest Foundation is a global non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, based in Los Angeles that provides opportunities for advancement and innovation in medical education and research. The Foundation optimizes medical residency programs through funding for specific initiatives, along with funding for medical research training that addresses the holistic needs of communities, programs, trainees, physicians, and scientists.
Photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ot3j61d77g0yco4/AABnvgmmLHHqlXbUtEUn5Rn0a?dl=0
Project Angel Food
Brad Bessey, Head of Communications & Talent Relations
Anne-Marie Williams
Communications & Marketing Manager
323-845-1800 ext. 225
Jodi Perkins, Interdependence PR
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