CEO of Naples and Fort Myers home health care provider gives a box of essentials to employees

Fort Myers News-Press

Michelle Ung, right, a R.N.with Preferred Care hands donated items to Melissa Owens, an L.P.N with Preferred Care on Sunday March, 29, 2020. The CEO of Preferred Care and Golden Care bought food and other items from Seed to Table and is donating it to over 500 employees in Fort Myers and Naples. Some of the employees are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic here in Southwest Florida.

Essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic often have multiple worries beyond the job. They include keeping themselves healthy and their families safe while securing enough food and daily necessities, concerns that add to an already taxed mindset.

One Southwest Florida employer decided that, in an effort to lessen that burden, he would make sure his workers had what they needed.

Michelle Ung, left, a R.N. with Preferred Care hands a box of donated groceries to Melissa Owens, an L.P.N with Preferred Care on Sunday March, 29, 2020. The CEO of Preferred Care and Golden Care bought food from Seed to Table and is donating it to over 500 employees in Fort Myers and Naples. Some of the employees are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic here in Southwest Florida.

Workers at Preferred Care Home Health Services and sister company Golden Care in Naples and Fort Myers received a care package of boxed and fresh foods, meats, milk, snacks and even scarce toilet paper Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of company CEO Christopher Melley.

"We do this because we have the best employees," said Tracy Walker, director of business development for Preferred Care. "With everything that is going on they have stepped up."

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"(Melley) recognizes they are on the front line taking care of positive COVID patients and he wanted to show his appreciation," added Julie Evans, director of nursing for the company.

The two companies provide home health care services both in a private duty preferred care setting and medicare skilled services. The company has registered nurses, home health aides, and therapists for physical, occupational and speech needs.

Evans said Melley's plan was to provide food for more than 500 employees.

In a letter to employees, Melley explained his idea.

"To say that the past couple of weeks have been challenging would be an understatement. As many in our community stay home to “stay safe” and prevent the transmission of this virus, each of you have admirably stepped up to the plate during this crisis," Melley said.

"I’m sure that you’re well aware that the shelves at most local grocery stores are empty. The thought of you putting in a full days’ work of caring for others and putting their needs first, only to arrive at an empty grocery store on your way home is unconscionable in my eyes."

Stacie Dunn, patient care manage for Preferred, said boxes were given out Saturday and Sunday at the Naples and Fort Myers office sites with produce that was purchased by Melley and Walker at Oakes Farms Seed to Table in North Naples.

She said boxes were also delivered to some employees who have self-quarantined not because they have been infected but because they have family members who are compromised.

Michelle Ung, left, a R.N. with Preferred Care talks with Melissa Owens, an L.P.N with Preferred Care on Sunday March, 29, 2020. The CEO of Preferred Care and Golden Care bought food from Seed to Table and is donating it to over 500 employees in Fort Myers and Naples. Some of the employees are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic here in Southwest Florida.

"We work for the best company," said Shannon Lewis," a scheduler at the Fort Myers office. "Our boss is amazing."

Walker said she and Melley were trying to figure out how to help employees.

"We just went in there," she said of the newly-opened Seed to Table facility on Immokalee Road. "But, we didn't know how to do it because of the limits on buying."

Walker said a chance meeting with CEO Alfie Oakes helped.

"We spent a couple of hours in the store shopping," she said. "Figuring out what we needed."

The result was a box for each worker that contained ground beef, chicken, pasta, rice, peanut butter and jelly, bread, milk, butter, eggs as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Walker said the company's employees are still actively seeing people who are positive with the virus or pending.

But, the bottom line is a heartfelt thanks from workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic.

"We're so appreciative," said Audani Jean Baptiste, a health aide for Golden Care. "This is a good thing."

Connect with breaking news reporter Michael Braun: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook), @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter) or mbraun@news-press.com.

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