IID Office of Emergency Management personnel wear news face coverings contributed by the Boyce Aten American Legion Post 25.
Frontline medical workers fighting the Coronavirus in Imperial County got a much-needed shot in the arm recently when The American Legion partnered with regional stakeholders to provide them face masks.
Members of the Imperial Irrigation District Office of Emergency Management received a small but helpful portion of homemade face coverings, obtained through their request to the Imperial County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
The Imperial County EOC is collaborating with the Boyce Aten American Legion Post 25 Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee (DPRC) which is leading the efforts through their project dubbed – Operation Victory Virus (OVV). OVV is supported by the Imperial Valley Patriotic Planning Committee (IVPPC), the American Legion Department of California 30th District (seven additional posts within Imperial County) members and very amiable community volunteer stitchers.
The OVV Face Covering/Mask Project includes monetary and material donations and volunteer stitchers. The stitchers obtain materials to sew homemade face masks per CDC standards and provide the completed mask to the post. The post DPRC then provides them to the EOC for their distribution. The DPRC has materials and needs more Volunteer Stitchers and ¼ inch elastic.
Other OVV Projects include:
- Bottled Water: Assisted in obtaining bottled water for the County First Responders and County Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The AAA has seen a huge increase in need during this pandemic and now tries to help over 1,000 seniors with food and water. The donations were provided from our local Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, respectfully.
- *Friday Night Steak Dinners: The infamous Friday Night Steak Dinner is back by popular demand! Although the price increased to $15 a dinner, for a 12 oz can of food donation the dinner is still only $12! All canned foods and other staples will go to the County AAA to assist in their effort for our local seniors. Along with water; the AAA most requested items are beans, rice and tomato sauce. Friday Night Steak Dinner is To-Go Only and is available Friday nights 6-8pm while supplies last. Call 760-352-2964 after 6pm to order in advance.
- OVV *Lunch: To-Go Only Lunch is served 11am-1pm to help support the OVV efforts. The Post Hall is open to accept donations, provide materials to Volunteer Stitchers and to collect the homemade masks. To order lunch please call 760-325-2964 in advance.
* Menu information is available on the Post Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost25ElCentroCa/ or by calling during the services.
For DPRC volunteer and support opportunities, please contact Robert Candland bckn6eii@gmail.com or (760) 425-0470. For general Post information please contact Tracy Rascoe at tracyrascoe@yahoo.com or (760) 425-0470. Follow Post #25 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost25ElCentroCa/
Members of American Legion Post 25, the Imperial Valley Patriotic Planning Committee and the Imperial Valley Breakfast Rotary Club gathered Friday evening to present Assistant Public Administrator Sarah Enz (front row, second from right) foodstuffs and other supplies to assist local senior citizens.
A view of Boyce Aten American Legion Post 25’s facility on Wednesday in El Centro. The Post recently formed a disaster response team to help the Imperial Valley amid the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO VINCENT OSUNA
