During the coronavirus pandemic, some of those who were greatly affected are the medical frontline workers. They are the ones who risk their lives every day while trying to save the lives of those infected by the coronavirus.
While they are superheroes inside hospitals, they continue their lives outside the hospital. Some of them are also getting married, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
That is why the non-profit organization Brides Across America thought of giving back to the country's medical frontline workers. They have recently opened their doors and gave away wedding dresses to the medical frontline workers.
Dressing up medical frontline workers
In an interview with the TODAY Style, Heidi Janson, the founder of the non-profit, shared that they wanted these health workers to feel that someone is thinking of them. The organization wants to ensure that the health workers know their good deeds and sacrifices that they are putting during this pandemic are appreciated. She said, "They're putting their lives on the line, just like the military or a first responder, so this was our way to give back to them. We just thought it lined up nicely with our mission."
Because of the kind of tasks needed to be done by the medical frontline workers, planning a wedding becomes an afterthought for some of them. Janson shared that when they encounter medical frontline workers, they hear responses that make BAA feel happy. Janson said, "The girls are so happy. They're like, 'I'm working, I'm planning a wedding. I don't really have time (to find a dress).' They can't believe it's free."
The advocacy of the Brides Across America
The non-profit, Brides Across America, was established in 2008. Their initiative of providing wedding dresses was inspired by the increasing number of military troops being sent to duty and needing their wedding dress at the last minute. Janson said, "We felt the need to give back and do something."
Since 2008, Brides Across America has provided more than 24,000 wedding dresses and has helped to put up 22 free weddings.
Initially, the non-profit was focused on providing wedding dresses to the dedicated military brides. However, in 2016, they have also included first responders as beneficiaries of their program.
Brides Across America believes that as Americans, they must support each other and pay tribute to the troops.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, BAA has included medical frontline workers in the list of brides that they intend to dress up on their wedding day.
Currently, only seven people are overseeing the tasks that need to be done in BAA. However, they are not losing hope, "It's definitely hard, but we're trying our best to continue as much as we can with the current circumstances."
For those who would like to donate to BAA, or would like to know if they are qualified to avail of their free wedding dress, details can be found on their website.
