From toddlers to tiaras, Tri-Citians lifting spirits during coronavirus outbreak

Toddler Bradley Yeater may just be 3 but he is spreading joy amid the coronavirus stay-at-home order.

The grandson of Ricki Pederson, a community outreach manager for Nuclear Care Partners, has been painting and coloring personalized cards for the patients of a home care company.

Nuclear Care Partners provides benefits guidance and in-home care for former Hanford workers who have become sick as a result of their workplace exposure.

“Bradley is a very sensitive little guy at just 3 years old,” Pederson said. “He’s used to having a very hectic social life, which unfortunately has pretty much come to a halt.”

Bradley spent days crafting and decorating cards and sending his artwork to bring smiles to those who can not go outside.

“After being told how everyone had to stay at home and not go outside, he decided he wanted to make something for them that would put a smile and a little cheer on their face,” Pederson said.

Bridal bags donated for masks

Amy Morris, owner of Amy’s Bridal Boutique in Richland, wants dress bags from her shop to help during the coronavirus outbreak.

Morris donated 40 extra large bridal dress bags worth $1,400 to the public with hopes that masks will be made for grocery workers and delivery drivers. She says each bag can make up to 50 masks.

While, the water-repellent breathable fabric is not appropriate for masks used by anyone in the health care field and still is not recommended for the general public, Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that his office is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reconsider their guidelines on who should wear masks based on new data.

“I put it out on social media and had an overwhelming response,” Morris said.

In fact, so many people were interested, she limited donations to one bag per volunteer for a curbside pickup.

She now has a waiting list of over a dozen people. Morris has placed another order of bags for her store as well to distribute for donations, but her supplier is backlogged and she has no anticipated date of arrival.

“I’m happy to be part of the community and helping out in times like these,” Morris said. “It makes everyone feel better and remember we are all in this together.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.