CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- While the coronavirus pandemic has brought pain and new challenges, it's also brought out the heroes and helpers in our communities.
Two Charlotteans decided to do their part to help those on the frontlines while also supporting local businesses.
Caroline Elliott, a registered nurse, has been working in hospitals for the last four years. When the coronavirus hit the United States, she knew this was going to be uncharted territory.
"It impacted me right off the bat. It wasn't something that I just saw on the news and dismissed," she says.
Elliott is now working remote, but she wanted to help her community.
"What kind of influence this whole movement for me was just this sense of fear for all my peers that were on the front line," she says
She started CLT, a non-profit that buys and delivers 100 meals a day to area hospitals.
Elliot is also making sure she supports local businesses, and is buying from Charlotte restaurants.
Right now, she can't make any of the deliveries herself, because she's still recovering from coronavirus.
"Someone that my husband works with tested positive. He ws having mild symptoms, so he was tested, and he tested positive," she says. "He completely lost his taste and smell, I was super fatigued, achy, shortness of breath. But, neither of us has a fever or anything, so we managed it at home."
While she's at home, Eliiott is getting help from volunteers, and she's also forming new partnerships in the community. She reached out to clothing company Glory Days Apparel to design a "Charlotte Strong" T-shirt.
Proceeds from the shirt sales are going towards purchasing food for healthcare workers.
"I keep saying it's a win-win-win-win. You get a T-shirt, so you ahve something to show for whatever you've donated, you help out Glory Days, you stimulate the economy, help restaurants, and help the frontlines," Elliott says.
You can order the shirts through the end of April, and they will start shipping around mid-May. To order the shirt or for more details, click here.