CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Each Tuesday, WBBM Newsradio focuses on a person or organization who is making a difference in the Chicago-area, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. WBBM Newsradio's Jim Gudas has this week's Difference Maker.
Lynn Farrell owns Windy City Travel in Old Town, and she wanted do to something for the nurses who treat COVID-19.
"We don't have masks. We didn't have PPE equipment when all this started and everybody was looking for it. So, we tried to figure out what we could do to help. How can we assist people on the front line?" Farrell said.
That's when Farrell decided to thank nurses by giving them a chance to win a free vacation.
"What we're calling our 'nurse thank-ation,' and we every Friday are donating a vacation to a nurse that's nominated on our site that is working as nurse hero during COVID-19," Farrell explained.
Farrell said it's a way to give some nurses a chance for fun, relaxation, and hope.
"These people are going into harms way every single day. They're the soldiers in this war. They're going into ICU COVID-19 units, and who knows if they're going to get sick. They haven't seen their families. They don't sleep at home. They're working 12-hour shifts. Their hands are bleeding. Their faces are all scarred from the PPE masks. For me it felt like the right thing to do," Farrell said.
While Windy City Travel is paying for some of the trips, Farrell said they've also received many donations.
"I had a gentleman call a week ago and said 'How do I donate my stimulus fund? How do I give you that money to help bolster this nurse fund?' It's been great," Farrell said.
To nominate a nurse or to donate, visit windycitytravel.com.
If you know of someone who is making a difference in the Chicago-area and deserves recognition, you can nominate that person at wbbmnewsradio.com/nominate.