To help shoreline area seniors and at-risk individuals avoid public exposure to COVID-19, and to provide relief and safety for the area's emergency first responders and front line healthcare workers, a multi-organizational effort born in Branford, "Operation Compassion" is now providing free grocery deliveries to five towns: Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison and East Haven.

The idea is to keep compromised individuals safe, and professional frontline responders healthy and strong, said Doug Shaw, president of the Ben Callahan Sports & Fitness Complex (BC2) and former Executive Director of Soundview YMCA.

As a non-profit, BC2 has been deemed "non-essential," during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organization still wanted to find a way to help the shoreline community, said Shaw. So Shaw set about putting plans for Operation Compassion together for approval, and gathering sponsorships to support the initiation of the program. He reached out to Soundview Y's new executive director, Matt Laprino, to help coordinate the operation; to Branford Rotary to help gather volunteers; and to Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center to sign on as participating grocers.

"Everyone loved the idea. Everybody jumped on board," said Shaw.

Noting that he'd asked the shoreline community to contribute in the past to help build the Soundview Y facility, which first opened its doors in Branford in 2010, Shaw said having the Y involved in Operation Compassion was a perfect fit.

"Now, it's our turn to give back to the community," said Shaw.

Grocery and prepared meal order forms for items offered at both stores can be found online at www.soundviewymca.org and www.bc2sports.org . Once a form is completed, Operation Compassion asks recipients to call (203) 481-9622 from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; or email soundviewinfo@cccymca.org with their food requests and to learn details of the order's free delivery day/time. Payment for the items can be made by check or credit card at the time of ordering items. Some assistance is also available for those in need of financial support, said Shaw.

To date, Operation Compassion has gathered over two dozen volunteers from across all participating organizations to make the deliveries, said Shaw. Volunteers will call recipients shortly before making the delivery, as a way to also "check in" on the welfare of those who are being supported by the program, said Shaw.

Among the volunteers are members of Ben Callahan's family. The Branford resident passed away tragically at 10 years old in 2017 and is the inspiration for BC2, which soon anticipates announcing it's new home on the shoreline, Shaw told Zip06/The Sound.

In a Branford Rotary press release regarding Operation Compassion, Shaw noted, "...the BC2 staff and volunteers care not only about our upcoming facility, but our community and families. We're a dedicated team working to ensure the shoreline stays healthy now, and in the future."

Branford Rotary president Gary Gambardella also shared a statement in the release, saying, "...everyone understands the need for social distancing, so the idea of reducing the number of people out shopping is clear. But there are so many people - nurses, doctors, health technicians, as well as police, fire and ambulance crews – who can't keep their distance during this pandemic. We may never be able to thank them enough, but we did want to do what we can to support them by limiting their exposure however we could."

For his part, Laprino's statement in the press release noted Soundview YMCA staff are dedicated and commited to supporting community.

"We bring together people from all backgrounds, to support those in need. We take on the most urgent needs in our community and inspire a spirit of service in return. Our members, volunteers, supporters and teammates demonstrate the power of what we can achieve by taking action and giving back together," said Laprino.

For more information on Operation Compassion, visit www.soundviewymca.org or www.bc2sports.org