Though the COVID-19 pandemic made “business as usual” challenging on multiple levels, Synergy Enterprises, Inc. (Synergy) worked with our clients to navigate their business rhythms, pivot through numerous hurdles brought on by work and at-home challenges, and continue delivering work at the highest level. In addition to our professional commitment to excellence, many of our staff members made a personal commitment, volunteering their time within their communities to make a meaningful and positive impact.
At the start of the pandemic, Calynn Evans, Senior Technical Assistance Liaison, heard there was a shortage of PPE for healthcare workers. As a problem solver and helper, she answered the call. Calynn pulled out her sewing machine and got to work. At that point, stores were running out of elastic and fabric, but she was able to find patterns online and make masks out of some old clothes that were 100 percent cotton. By following CDC guidelines on homemade masks and partnering with her mom’s church and a local seamstress, Calynn was able to make 50 masks for a nursing home in Annapolis, several for a labor and delivery unit in Arizona, and recently, masks for teachers and students returning to school. “Mask making started as a way to give back to others, but it has also allowed me to give back to myself. I rekindled my creative side and I have enjoyed fine tuning this craft, as well as a few others,” said Calynn.
Later in the pandemic, Ashley Foley, Operations Specialist, helped in a different way. As part of the Maryland Vaccine Hunters, she assisted low-income and vulnerable populations in navigating the Maryland COVID-19 vaccine appointment system. She spent numerous hours on various websites “chasing appointments.” Ashley’s advanced technology skills have enabled her to get many seniors and non-tech-savvy individuals signed up for the vaccine.
On the other side of the country, in her home state of California, Project Director Bronwyn Roberts assisted with providing more than 2,000 vaccines to community members at a drive-up vaccine clinic. Although she has no medical experience, she received on-the-spot training to help fill syringes and document patient information for public health records. “It’s such an incredible experience to help out in this capacity—you really feel like you are a part of history, and people are so grateful!” Bronwyn said. Many volunteers are receiving vaccines in exchange for their time and effort, and Bronwyn was fortunate enough to receive one. Like many others, the first thing she did was hug her mom for the first time in a year.
We are proud of the dedication, commitment, and resilience that Synergy’s employees have shown in both their professional lives and personal communities. We will continue to make this same commitment to our clients and our work. Although we may be one person or a small group of people, when we come to together, we can make a big difference—because here at Synergy we believe in “Small Teams, Big Solutions!”