Elliman Connection: Giving Back, One Mask at a Time

Patty LaRocco While the world continues to adjust to ongoing, every-day changes as a result of the pandemic, many people are rising to the occasion by giving back to the community. Douglas Elliman agent Patty LaRocco seized on the opportunity to order medical masks and send them to healthcare workers and others in need. Elliman Insider sat down with Patty to find out how she came up with idea and how she thinks coming together during this time will affect us after the crisis has passed. Elliman Insider : What are some ways you’re giving back to the community? PATTY LAROCCO: We are securing medical masks and donating them directly to healthcare workers and others in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. EI: What’s inspired you to donate your time or efforts to this particular cause? PL: Being a native New Yorker, I see firsthand how desperate the need is. My girlfriend Kathleen has a family connection in Mexico and she is able to get the masks. While we are sitting home isolating, we wanted to do something, anything to support those working on the front lines. Masks waiting to be shipped out EI: What’s the best way you think we can provide emotional and motivational support to each other through all of this? PL: Honestly, I get teared up with gratitude thinking about the doctors and nurses and everyone else working to save lives. I hope they know that we are all doing everything we can to support and protect them. This GoFundMe program allows people who are not on the front lines to participate and support in a very real way. Patty LaRocco EI: What are some ways you think others can give back while still practicing social distancing? PL: Donate, donate, donate. When someone finds a way to get something moving like we have, support it! EI: When business goes back to usual, how do you think you can still maintain your sense of community and continue to give back? PL: I think when we all look back on this, our sense of community and connection will be forever altered. Watching the world come together like this can have amazing long-term positive effects if we keep it going. I personally have never felt so grateful and inspired to help strangers across the country to get them the supplies that they need. EI: People have been coming together to support each other during this time; have there been some examplesmoments that have inspired you? PL: Mostly I am in awe of the people on the front line; there are so many stories: ER nurses wearing bandanas because they have nothing else, yet they are still working. Volunteers sewing surgery gowns into masks because the hospital was in crisis. Seeing my friends suited up head to toe doing COVID-19 testing, then counting the days while they themselves are tested because of their work. A mom who donated and asked to have masks sent to her daughter’s hospital to keep her daughter safe. The list goes on and on. Help those in need by donating to Patty’s cause today.