Mother's Day Surprises for Coronavirus Heroes

Grab a tissue and get ready for some surprises. I feel like I'm in a dream we want to hurchase for you. Completely caught me off car with that. I appreciate you so very much as a family. We wanted to donate to you. You know, I don't know what to say. I'm just bubbling with love. And one of my favorite human beings on the planet pops in, and there's a very special woman I personally adore who wants

to meet you. Me. Happy Mother's Day. Mother's Day is always a special day at the Red Table because the Red Table was birthed on Mother's Day. We're going to introduce to you four extraordinary moms who are real life superheroes who have proven to be fearless and courageous in the face of the pandemic. They have no idea what the table has in store for them. Let the surprises begin. Since the pandemic, nurse manager April Gwen Camino, a mother of two adorable little girls, has been on the front

lines in charge of the COVID nineteen unit. I've always wanted to be a nurse. I knew that I wanted to take care of people, and being at the front lines that means fighting this global pandemic. I have a lot out of fear and anxiety when I go to the hospital, but this is my job and this is what I do, and I love to do it. I wouldn't have it any other way. We would not be this functioning unit without April. She's been such a great boss.

One of the biggest fears that we have as frontline nurses is not having enough protective equipment to protect us from the virus. Luckily, we've been getting all these donations, especially from our community. The most exciting donations we got was from Sandra Bullock and she donated thousands of mass which was so generous. My husband actually planned a birthday trip for me last month but we weren't able to go. We have two beautiful daughters, Hallie who's going to be three,

and Leah who's nine months. So hopefully when all this is over that we could go on a trip. I know that there's going to be so much to celebrate. Hey, April, thank you for having me. Absolutely, Are you kidding? We're honored to have you. Yeah, you know I was a nurse April myself. I actually just be tired. What about two years now? Wow? We salute you absolutely, Yeah, you really do. Thank you. It's a bit stressful, but you know, I have my faith and we go on every day.

So your hospital got a special donation from the fabulous Oscar winning actress and awesome human being who I happen to love personally myself, Sandra Bullock. You know, I've been so busy up here on the floor and I did not know that it happened. I was like, oh my god, that's amazing, Like, out of all the hospitals here, she came here and donated enormous amount of mass and that's amazing and we're so grateful for that. So you didn't get a chance to meet Sandra. No, No, they're at

a hospital. So what I tell you what, April, there's a very special woman who wants to meet you me am I, Oh my god, Sandy, April meet Sandra Bullack. Well, first of all, hello, beautiful, beautiful people, ladies. So nice

to be here. But April, thank you for I'm trying to say this crying, thank you for everything that you're doing because we get to sit here and be home with our families because you are out there doing the hard, hard work and there's not a dinner in a grace and go by without us sending you the love and the appreciation and the gratitude that we as a family have because we are safe and and I thank you so much, Yes, absolutely, And you as a mom, I

know you're scared. I know you're scared on so many levels. And the fact that you were born with that extra gift to go out and and do the good work I bought down to. So to your family, I say thank you for allowing you to leave the home and we're just so very grateful for you and everyone that does you do. So, April, what would you say has been the hardest day for you so far? Personally, for me, the hardest day was when I had to see a

young teenage daughter say goodbye to her mom. You know, her mom was at the stage of the passing, and the daughter and her uncle came on my unit and I didn't want to tell them to turn away and say no, you can't see your mom. So I was able to get an approval to have them come in and actually see her mom through a window. And I had one of my nurses hold up a phone to her mom while I was holding up my phone to her, so that they did have their last conversation in their

last goodvice. It just broke my heart and knowing that I have two daughters like that, like I wouldn't want my daughters to go through that. So that was probably like the hardest time. Wow, Well, you know, April, you gave her an opportunity to at least have last words, and so many people don't. So many people don't like this is the new thing that people are having to

deal with, and it's really really hard. So, Sandra, how did you decide to donate six thousand and masks and this particular hospital because this particular hospital is a very special hospital, you know, this this hospital services an underprivileged community. How did this come about for you, you you know, like everyone else, you sit home and you feel like your

hands are tied because you can't do anything. So I just called the kids pediatrician and I said, what are the hospitals where my children they wanted to contribute in some way and what hospitals represent my family? And we were given the name several hospitals, and Aprile's Hospital was one of the main ones. And that's the first place. We put masks on the kids with gloves and rolled on down there and deposited so they could see firsthand the first responders and see how hard it is right now.

It's not easy. I love that you did that. I love that you guys as a family, yeah, went down there to to donate, you know, just so that your kids could see what's happening, you know. So I want to commend both of you. I want to commend you ladies of the Red Table. Jada, you know how I feel about what you incredible humans are doing for the community and for the truth and having hard conversations and giving back, and and I am I am in awe of what you've continued to do because you could have

stopped and gone another way. But you didn't. You guys are staying the line and all three of you inspire and wake people up and bring calm and I really appreciate you guys. Thank you, Sandy. I appreciate you. You're just an awesome lad. There's someone I have someone here who wants to say something to April. Kid, she come say something? Okay, Oh once to time, Shi, that's up. There is there something you want to say to April. Thank you April for doing everything for that everything for everyone.

Oh my goodness, stay safe, heart, stafe safely, you too. She does. She's our she's our worlds for hero, She's the one that's going to save the world in our family. So he's ready. She's ready to join you out there, April in a few years. I love it, oh man, April on behalf of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation. We are going to donate fifty dollars to your hospital. Yes, yeah, we are so impressed with the work that you guys are doing there, and we're so you know, the the

community that you're servicing. Also, we know that you didn't get your family vacation for your birthday, so when the timing works for you, we would like to also as a family, send you and your family on the vacation of your choice. So and that's just yeah, we wanted to do something for you personally, you know, just for your service. So keep up the good, April, Yes, and Sandy, you just keep being that amazing, bomb gangster woman that

you are. Mama. And what next time I see you, when this is all over, I'm gonna give you a big hug, a big kiss, and a big tequila happy mother. They all yeah, thank you, thank you, guys, thank you, thank you from the bottom of thank you. This is awesome. That was great, such a great mommy's day. I'm telling you, you know, I've always believed a woman's superpower is how

deep she can love, you know. And one of the things growing up in Baltimore, I grew up around a lot of black women that didn't have necessarily resources to give, right, but they had their strength and they had their love to offer while the world had. You know. It's boot next. Well, that's what I call black girl magic, you know what

I mean. We're about to meet a woman that I consider to be the epitome of black girl magic and whose black girl Magic got on the cover of Time Magazine Yolanda Fisher as a mom, a grandmother, and the most famous lunch lady in America. Time Magazine honoring frontline heroes of the pandemic, and these cafeteria workers are from right here in North Texas. I still can't believe there will on the cover of Time. I look at it every day to remind myself that it's me. It makes

me happy. When the pandemic struck Dallas, Yolanda had a big hearted idea that is serving millions. When I heard that the school was closing, my first thought was what about the kids. Over of our kids rely on our meals every day. I called my team and answer, are they willing to give up their screen break so we can keep the cafeteria open? That small sacrifice has made an enormous difference. We have served over three million meals so far. For many kids, this is the best and

sometimes only meal that will get all day. Yolanda uses music to keep her team motivated. I love listen to gospel music because when you're depressed and you're going through those words just are uplifting. I love the artist tamblin Man. I know they've tied to me at work for playing it over and over. She loves templer man. That's all she played on this Mother's Day. Yolanda knows her own mom is watching her with pride. But I'm not just a lunch lady. I'm a mother. I'm a daughter, and

my mother taught me to serve as did ours. Yes you, beautiful Mother's Day, Thank you mother. Than let me tell you something, the fact that in this you thought about those kids. I'm telling you that black woman love ain't nothing to play with. That's huge what you're doing. Yeah, what if you learned about yourself during this time, besides being a superhero that I'm very resilient. Yes, there are,

because it's really hard work. When I first thought it, I cried many nights because it was a lot of work. I learned no matter what job you do, it's important, it counts, and you're very valuable. God created me to be a server. I'm a servant at hard My mother was a server. I love serving. I love helping others. Your landa, Your amazing grace and generosity has touched so many and they want the world to know just how much you mean to them. So much of what you

do is unseen by a lot of people. But I want you to know that we see you and we love you. Thank you for fell the kids, because when iut you, someone would not be able to eat. You serve so many students, so many families. The things that you do that you don't have to do, but you just do them because that's what's in your heart. You are true to being a servant. What's something is fishing your favorite. I love you so much. You are like talky God, my superhero. Keep being great. One day I

want to be like you. We thank you, and we know our moms in heaven proud of her baby girl right now. I love you, I love you. I love you so much. Happy Mother's Day, big sister, Happy mother Day. Happy Happy Mother's Day. I love you and I hope you had a very happy mother to day. I love you. Happy. Yeah. Wow, you have a beautiful family. Thank you and so wonderful feeling to you know to get your flowers while you're living. Yeah, man, you got me tearing up, your momma, You got me

tearing up. That's hard to do, is. I want you to know? So you landa In honor of Mother's Day, we made some calls and we arranged a special meeting just for you. What you got me trying on like this is amazing. Happy Mother's Day to everybody, and you know what, Happy Mother's Day to you too, because I know you are mama of fine. Yeah. Yes, I can not believe I meet you right now, your Landa. What's your favorite song? My absolute favorite song? Gets to take

me to the King? Wow? Um, take me to the key. I don't have much to breathe. My heart is torn and peace say it's myfy you lay me out at the throne, leave me there alone to gets upon your glory and singing to you the song please take me to the key? Yes, thank you. Yeah, that's that's one of my favorites too. Kid, I've never seen you here. Can shack the table? Take me to the King? I love it. I cannot believe it. You know what, your Landa,

We're not done with you yet. The Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation is going to donate fifty dollars to the Dallas Independent School District to buy more food so that you can service and keep your love going. Oh that is wonderful. Oh God, I feel like I'm in a dream. I can't believe it's happening. I need somebody to wake me up. Also, we want you to know that our Smith Family Foundation, we know how hard you've

been working. And I watched my brother's mother raised five of her grandchildren, and I got to see what that struggle looked like. So when's the last time you bought something for yourself? When it was time to go back to school, I bought me some new shoes for school. M were your landa. As a family, we wanted to donate to you a ten thousand dollar gift certificate, you know, for you to have for yourself. And out of that gift certificate, I'll want you to promise that you're gonna

do something good for yourself yourself. You're a giver, yes, right, you're a giver, but sometimes you gotta give to yourself. So take some of that money and do something really nice for yourself. I am tongue tied. I don't know what to say. I'm just bubbling with love. Is just God is good? Oh God, I'm on cloud nine. This is the best day in the world. You know, I'll be leaving this week forever happy than Thank you, Thank you, guys,

thank you. That's awesome. Tammy Rivera is a single mom of two who makes a living as an uber driver in Memphis. One morning in March, she picked up an exhausted nurse who had just finished an overnight shift in a COVID nineteen unit. One Memphis woman is stepping up. Her efforts have now become a viral movement. I picked

up a nurse early one morning. She was getting off of her shift, and she asked if I would mind stoppings where she could get some breakfast to a starving We talked, and I learned that the hospital cafeteria closed at seven o'clock in the evening, and if they didn't bring dinner in with them, theire didn't eat or they ate out of a vending machine. And it bothered me that they didn't have food. Tammy's maternal instincts kicked in.

She was determined to make sure the hospital workers caring for COVID nineteen patients would be taking care of themselves. She posted an idea on Facebook and the response was overwhelming. Within about two hours, I'd put my Venmo and PayPal out there and said, look, if y'all want to donate, I'll find a restaurant that will make enough meals for the e r I will deliver the meals myself. When I woke up the next morning, I was blown away,

and their generosity fueled my mission. Night after night. For the past seven weeks, Tammy delivers up to sixty meals to Methodist labon Or Hospital just outside of Memphis. Even car trouble, It's not gonna stop me. I've got an aging car. It's getting old and cranky. Tammy never complains, even though the pandemic has nearly wiped out her rideshare business. Just like every other single mom, it's a struggle. Finances are always tight, but when I am helping other people,

my problem seemed very very small in comparison. No true words ever spoken there. It is so beautiful Mother's Day. Thank you very much. The work that you're doing is so amazing. My love language has always been fading people, and gosh, these people are are working in a very scary environment right now. They're working mandatory over time and exactly well. We just want you to know how thankful so many are for your kindness. Hey day, I understand me. I'm working in a cat scan department in or on

the graveyard shift. I'm the nerves on all of the COVID units. I just want to thank you so much for providing meals for us every night. You have no idea how much this means to us. One thing I've learned during all of this is how much a hot meal means to people. We even heard that you had car trouble and you still brow us a fit. You're amazing. Thank you so much. You give me faith, and I just want to personally thank you, not just with the food,

would for the person who you are. It reminds me a lot of my mother, God rest her soul, so I just thank you for bringing her memory to me every night as well. You're a safe Happy Mother's Day, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Mother's Day. Hey mom, Fuller band here. We're so proud of everything you're doing at the hospital.

Happy Mother's Day. Oh that was really nice. I am so overwhelmed because I I don't get to see those faces, I don't get to say the actual people who are getting the meals, and that is it is just amazing, well deserved, well deserved. And we at the Smith Family Foundation heard that you were having some car problems and we know that that is your livelihood and that's your office and that is also your chariot of service. So we want to purchase for you and eco friendly car

a brand new one. Yes for Mother's Day. Yeah oh yeah. Let me tell you how you've sacrificed and how you put yourself out there. It's the least that we can do for you. Thank you so much for all you do, Tammy, and we hope, we hope that this makes it a little bit easier for you to do your work. Jada, Gammy Willow, you are such an inspiration to me and I love you guys. Thank you y'all so very much.

Happy Mother's Day, Thank you awesome. Yeah, Happy Mother's Day, and once again, just thank you so much for all that you do. Our next hero Mom is a force to be reckoned with and does not take no for an answer when someone is in need. Dr Alis Stanford isn't just any board certified surgeon, Dr. A that is, She's been Will's personal physician for the last eight years. When the coronavirus pandemic hit her hometown of Philadelphia, she

did something extraordinary. In a city where one point six million residents live in poverty, she was determined to help the most vulnerable. There was no way that I could just sit by and not do something. In just forty eight hours, Dr Eila created a one of a kind, life saving mobile testing unit and headed straight for Philly's hot zones. Who needs IF the most in Philadelphia are

the elderly and the African American community. They set up in church parking lots, administering free tests to the city's most undeserved neighborhoods. No one should be left out, no one should be forgotten, no one should be over looked. This superhero mother of three has tested thousands of grateful residents. My children understand the importance of what I'm doing, but I missed spending time with them. They just have to share mommy for a little bit. Wow, Happy Mommy day.

I'm going to day to you. Oh gosh, I feel like we're going to cry already. No, we just want to thank you for your service big time. And I know you did it. You did it fast, So you are truly a role model. And there's a long line of people who want to make sure you hear that loud and clear. Dr A Love Stafford is a hero. Doctor stands, but it's a hero. My wife. Dr last

Stanford just my hero. By allowing us to just walk in and get tested for COVID when no one else would test us, is saving lives allow You are a hero because you go places where other people won't. Because she cared, Instead of waiting for the results to come in, she decided to do something about it. You are the light. I think my mom is a hero because even when things don't go well, she always has a plan and

can always help people. She helps me and at times, and because she helps me when I'm feeling sad and down, she is helping people in this pandemic and people who cannot get tested. You are the true definition of a superhero. Love you. I know you dedicated your life to helping others and I couldn't be more proud of what you've accomplished so far in your career. A love. Happy Mother's Day. Oh my god, Happy Mother's Day. She's an awesome mom goes out of her way to make her kids happy

every single day. Oh that was so nice. Yeah, okay, first, thank you. You completely caught me off guard with that. So let me get myself together. I know for my husband, especially because I have been in the zone and I haven't been super attentive and super affectionate because I go to the sleep late and I'm getting up early and

there's not a whole lot of time left. But he still keeps driving this van for me, and he still keeps cooking for me and going to get ice when we need it for the specimens in the middle of the testing, and even though I'm like trying to focus and get everything done, he's like, did you eat, eat? Did you eat? Where's your vitamin? I'm just like, you stop, I gotta go pack it out. So I could use this as an opportunity to say I appreciate you mm hmmm, and um, I really love you. And thanks for not

saying it's too dangerous, don't do it. Yeah, but really just supporting me and allowing me to go but not go without you. You're always think here. But thanks for not stopping me because I really really wanted to get out there. Yeah. Well, we thank you. That is so big, the fact when your loved ones that's close to you support you. Yeah. So you know, kudos to your husband as well. I though we've been in contact and we've made several kinds of donations already, but we just want

you to continue doing what you're doing. So we're gonna make another donation to you, a fifty thousand dollars. Yeah, because I know that you are really out there making it happen. And what I love most about the work that you're doing is that you were in You were out there in the streets yourself with your team. So thank you and Happy mom Me's Day. Happy you, thanks for always being there for us. Yes, I appreciate you all. I appreciate you. Thank you. Good stuff. All right, we'll

go and spend some time with your family today. Yes, thank you, thank you. That's so amazing. So that's making it happen. Yeah, I'm proud of her. Well, we've done good. That was a beautiful, beautiful show. I feel really my heart is full today to be able to um be at service in this way, to you know, to give to those who were giving, to make it just a little easier, because it's it's not easy, right, Happy Mother's Day again, thank you, A Happy Mother's Day to you.

Happy future Mother's Day, Willow maybe maybe Happy mother Thank you. To join the Red Table Talk family and become a part of the conversation, follow us at facebook dot com. Slash red Table Talk. Thanks for listening to this episode of Red Table Talk podcast, produced by Facebook Watch, Westbrook Audio, and I Heart Radio.