It’s been one helluva year, hasn’t it? I don’t know anyone that hasn’t been affected in some way by COVID-19, nor the financial havoc it’s caused, particularly for small business owners in the cleaning service industry. My dear friend, Donna Walrond, is one such person hit extremely hard by the COVID shut down.
Donna is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. We first became acquainted when I desperately needed help cleaning my apartment in Brooklyn during a horrific battle with morning sickness during my second pregnancy. The first time I met her through her business, Cleaning Brooklyn , I was inspired by her infectious, hilarious personality and profound work ethic. It was clear she took providing for her three boys, Corey, Alex and Brandon, very seriously and she made sure her clients knew how much she appreciated their business.
As I got to know Donna further, I was in awe to learn what a generous and kind person she is. From helping friends and family both fiscally and emotionally, to her charitable works in the United States and in her home country of Barbados, thousands of people have been directly affected by her compassion.
The shutdown in New York forced Donna to close most of her cleaning business. Many of her clients left the city and the ones that stayed were on lockdown and couldn’t have cleaning service personnel in their homes. Donna was unsuccessful in procuring a coveted PPP loan. As hard as she tried, there just weren’t any additional resources to tap into.
Recently, Donna's situation has become so overwhelming to her, she has been experiencing deep bouts of depression and crushing sadness. So much so, she was forced to spend several days in the hospital to recover.
Things remain dire for Donna and her sons as her business still has not come back in Brooklyn and she has no other income. I am asking you to help the lady that helps everyone else by contributing to a fund that will help her buy groceries for her kids, pay her bills, and catch up on her rent. Any amount you can provide will be a help to this amazing person.
From what I know about Donna: Once she is back on her feet, she will pay forward your kindness to those that need it. That's just who she is.
Please feel free to free to share stories of Donna’s spirit and generosity. And please forward this link to anyone that you feel may be able to help.
Sonya Hyde