Laugh, Love, Connect: How One Community is Finding New Ways to Support COVID Relief
What happens when you bring together 3 nationally recognized dating and relationship experts to talk about dating in a pandemic? Throw in some standup comedy, and wrap it all into a fundraiser for Covid relief?
You get a live Zoom event called “Laugh, Love, Connect.” The event on May 7 drew over 80 people from around the world and raised nearly $4,000 to support Frontline Foods, a non-profit with a unique approach to Covid relief.
This effort is supported through a micro grant from REALITY, an initiative of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. This is a story about the REALITY community coming together in a crisis, working together to make a difference.
It started when three of us - Daniel, Stephanie, Sara - came together to brainstorm ways to contribute to Covid relief.
We’ve been friends since our REALITY Tech journey in May 2018. An unforgettable trip through Israel with 50 tech leaders dedicated to social impact and tikkun olam - “repairing the world.”
Fast-forward 2 years later. We’re in a global pandemic. Thanks to the connections from our REALITY trip, several of us have launched high-impact projects to support Covid relief.
COVID Tech Connect
Sara Rodell created COVID Tech Connect, a non-profit that donates tablets to hospitals so dying patients can say goodbye to loved ones amid coronavirus-related visiting restrictions.
Sara’s project originated when she connected with other REALITY Tech participants, Arielle Bailey and Lauren Rinkey, on our WhatsApp group chat. They helped connect Sara with tech leaders to donate equipment. Sara recruited a professional network of women with experience in communication, technology, logistics and grassroots organization.Just a few days later, COVID Tech Connect had become a movement that can help sick people say goodbye to loved ones.
Sara created The Dignity Project: Gathering devices from tech leaders and getting them into the hands of doctors and nurses. The team has set up a Gofundme to raise money to buy 20,000 devices for medical facilities.
Frontline Foods / World Central Kitchen
Stephanie Bagley got involved in Frontline Foods through another REALITY alumnus, Joel Wishkovsky, who leads the non-profit’s New York City chapter.
Frontline Foods has teamed up with World Central Kitchen (Chef José Andrés’ non-profit) to help restaurant workers and support healthcare professionals at the same time. So far, they've raised $4 million and delivered more than 70,000 meals to frontline workers in over 150 hospitals nationwide.
In Steph’s words, “It’s been incredible to be a part of something that is so immediately and fundamentally helping people.”
Laugh, Love, Connect
Daniel learned about Steph’s work with Frontline Foods on a REALITY zoom call. He was excited to contribute to the cause. He’d been performing live Zoom comedy shows for his friends and was looking for ways to support frontline healthcare workers.
Daniel secured a REALITY micro grant to source meals from local restaurants and deliver them to healthcare workers. He used the grant as inspiration to create a live comedy fundraiser.
The result was Laugh, Love, Connect: A special one-time live event for Covid relief.
Stephanie kicked off the event with a presentation on Frontline Foods and the non-profit’s mission. She was joined by Joel and Ilana, leaders of Frontline Foods’ NYC chapter.
Next, Daniel moderated a panel of 3 nationally recognized experts on dating and relationships who talked about “love and dating during a pandemic.” Panelists included REALITY alumnus Evan Marc Katz, founder of Love U, author of 4 books, 30 million+ blog readers; Geoff Cook, founder and CEO of The Meet Group (a leading mobile dating app operator); and Andrea Syrtash (creator of Pregnantish, on-air personality and author of 5 books including “He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s a Good Thing).”
The topics included: Is now a good time to be dating? How should people think about balancing safety with the fundamental human need to connect? How should people in committed relationships keep their relationships healthy during quarantine?
We closed out the event with stand-up comedy from 3 hilarious comics: Ben Gleib (REALITY Storytellers, host of Idiotest on Netflix and former POTUS candidate), Zahra Ali (Producer, Facial Recognition Comedy; Featured in NY Times, Daily Beast, Bustle) and Katrina Davis (America's Got Talent, Participant; Time Out LA’s Comedians to Watch 2019).
Over 80 people attended “Love, Laugh, Connect.” Their donations totaled $1400. On top of the $2500 Schusterman micro grant, that’s $3900 raised - enough to buy 400 meals for frontline responders. The funds will be pledged to Frontline Foods’ LA and New York City chapters.
The event garnered rave reviews from participants: “It was so great”, “Hilarious”, “Epic night!” People had a great time learning, laughing, and contributing to Covid relief.
“Love, Laugh, Connect” was a reminder that as hard as this time is for so many of us, we have much to appreciate - and it’s easy to give a little thanks by buying meals for food-insecure families, seniors isolated for safety, and frontline healthcare workers.
Thank you to REALITY and the Schusterman Foundation for creating a platform to connect leaders and drive social change. Together, we can repair the world.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing and sharing with a friend: