When the COVID-19 vaccines first became available in Southern California, it was a little hard for some people to get an appointment. So, our KNX Helpful Honda Hero of the Week stepped in!
Emily Van Voorhis is a nurse practitioner, but during the pandemic, health concerns and a pregnancy forced her to stay at home. But, her passion to help others remained.
"Staying at home during the pandemic, for someone who's medically trained, is really difficult," says the mom of two little ones.
KNX Hero Emily Van Voorhis KNX 1070 News Handout
When the vaccines arrived, Emily became a volunteer nurse, giving shots. She also started reaching out to coworkers and friends, compiling a broad list of people who needed help signing up for a vaccine.
"Once I was able to be vaccinated, and be a little more protected, I felt like I could go out and try to do more things," says Emily. "I ended up finding all these ways to match people with appointments that were out there."
"Helping people who were from disproportionately affected communities... people who weren't super computer literate, and didn't have the time to sit in front of a computer waiting for time slots to open."
In one case, Emily helped a local hospital fill appointments for one-hundred vaccine doses that were expiring. She also assisted people with transport and translation. She even administered a vaccine into the arm of her husband, sharing a special moment for both.
With a toddler and a new baby in tow, Emily also hit the streets, going door to door, letting food and kitchen workers know where they could get a shot.
"We had Spanish and English flyers," explains Emily, "and I went to every restaurant and passed out those flyers. I did it at the grocery store."
Emily Van Voorhis of Glendale says she just wanted to "do her part" helping others during the pandemic, and she is our KNX Helpful Honda Hero of the Week!
"I know that when I got my appointment, I cried, knowing there would be an end to the tunnel!" admits Emily. "I want other people to be able to feel that, feel that sense of relief."
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes! Go to CRC.com for more information.
If you need help getting connected to a clinic or a vaccination site, go to https:///www.GOTSLA.org
Find out what your Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers are up to by heading to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoCalHondaDealers/
If you know someone like Emily, who is inspirational, motivational, life-changing or life-saving... nominate them as a future KNX hero at https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/nominate
