KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After surviving COVID-19, Megan Blake found a way to support those on the frontlines in the form of "blessing baskets."
"Full of goodies for first responders, teachers and nurses," Blake, founder of KC Blessing Basket, said. "It started out of my house."
In a matter of days, word spread as did the generosity. Kelsey Knutson was brought into the fold as the donation coordinator.
"So many people want to get back, but they're scared to leave their house or they don't want to leave their house and rightfully so," Knutson said. "So this really gives them an opportunity to know and kind of live vicariously through us."
Prior to this weekend, the two delivered dozens of baskets to hospitals and schools.
"There's always the people that are like, 'Oh, this isn't real,' or like, 'You don't need to wear a mask,'" Blake said, "and so the biggest thing I've learned this week is like how much those words like affect our first responders."
On Saturday morning, Blake learned that Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department Capt. KCFD captain Robert “Bobby” Rocha lost his battle against COVID-19.
Then Sunday, Greater Kansas City International Association of Firefighters Local 42 announced the death of Scott Davidson, a communications specialist and paramedic.
"At like, 7 a.m., I had a text message from the same firefighter saying, 'Hey, we lost another member in the line of duty,'" Blake said. "It was already real, then it [was] even more devastation."
Blake and Knutson spent Sunday afternoon just like the day before -- assembling more baskets before traveling to deliver them to Rocha's colleagues at stations 18 and 17.
The pair said if donations keep coming, they will work to provide a blessing basket to every fire station in Kansas City, Missouri.
"You always wonder, like, why was my life spared but someone who's doing so much good for the community wasn't?" Blake said.
Because of that feeling, Blake said, she will continue performing the small act of kindness as the Kansas City's first responders deal with profound loss.
Those interested in donating to KC Blessing Basket can do so via Cash app at KCBaskets or on Venmo at kcblessingbaskets. Anyone interested in volunteering can email Blake at kcblessings2020@gmail.com.
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