FaceTiming With His Hospitalized Dad Amid COVID-19 Inspires Man to Donate iPads

One of the hardest things about the COVID-19 pandemic, among the litany of tragedies it has so fervently infected our lives with, is saying goodbye to a loved one. With hospitals and care facilities locked down, these last moments with dads, moms, grandparents, cousins, aunts, or uncles have to happen digitally. Because that beats the alternative, with them passing alone.
In many situations, it’s a caring nurse, going above and beyond, frequently using their own device, who helps connect families with their dying loved ones to have even that less-than-ideal goodbye. It’s what inspired one New Jersey man to take action.
John Lynch had to say goodbye to his dad over FaceTime. Now, he’s using his charitable foundation to donate iPads to hospitals and care facilities, to help patients stay in touch with their families during this time of restriction and lockdown.
“I just want to make (my dad) proud,” he told CNN. “Knowing that we can help families stay in touch during this time is a wonderful feeling.”
NJ man who said final goodbye to dad over video collects iPads so families can connect during pandemic@JohnnyWildwood, founder of Operation Connection: The iPad Project, spoke with @1010WINS‘ @Sherwoodstock
Listen here: https://t.co/Wgy1sVhaE7 pic.twitter.com/BoT0FreM08
— 1010 WINS (@1010WINS) May 17, 2020
The GoFundMe campaign, Operation Connection – The iPad project, has raised more than $9,000 and distributed dozens of iPads to hospitals and senior care centers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Lynch is continuing the good work, in honor of his dad’s memory, and in an effort to help families have meaningful moments with family members, even if the pandemic keeps them apart.
Here at The Dad, we hope you, your families, and communities stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the latest information, please utilize online resources from local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization to remain as informed as possible.