Since my previous article about COVID Innovations, in which I undertaking extraordinary actions to drive change to tackle this pandemic, new change makers have emerged on the horizon. Acting as role models worthy of our admiration and attention, more and more industry giants are taking the lead, including: highlighted 20 ordinary professionals and companies pledged $15 million to COVID-19 response efforts in the U.S. and internationally, donated 10 million masks. Apple pledged more than $800 million to support small businesses and crisis response, along with 2-3 million masks. Google announced that all of its Italian production plants have switched to manufacturing single-use medical overalls for the individual protection of healthcare workers engaged in the fight against the Coronavirus disease. Giorgio Armani teamed up with Lyft to provide work for those in need, donated over $3 million in the UK, and provided scores of services to battle Covid-19. Amazon pledged $20 million in matching funds for Covid-19 response. Facebook provided hundreds of ventilators to help meet demands from the growing coronavirus outbreak. Check out how Ford and GM have joined the club to manufacture ventilators. Tesla here Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundations donated medical equipment to African Union member states. Alibaba In addition to these well-known companies, I would like to extend my appreciation and admiration to non-influential individuals taking the lead to provide support, spread the word and call for action to fight COVID-19. Just reading their acts of courage motivated me to share their stories and glorify their accomplishments. 10 Non-Influencers Making a Difference 1. Quinn Callander This 12-year-old is breaking old school thinking and utilizing the power of imagination. After witnessing the complaints of doctors at the local hospital asking for help with a unique problem, which was that its healthcare workers had serious ear pain after long shifts wearing masks nonstop, he put his 3D printer to use. Quinn Callander developed a simple, but effective “ear guard” that prevents the elastic bands on a mask from rubbing against the backs of people’s ears. He prototyped several designs with his 3D printer, landing on a wide plastic strap that goes around the back of the head. The strap has notches so wearers can loop the mask’s elastic straps around the notches that are most comfortable, allowing them to adjust the tension while keeping the mask firmly in place. 2. Ron Arad Ron Arad launched the " " fundraiser with masks featuring famous artists. Celebrities, including Stephen Fry, David Baddiel and Elizabeth Hurley, have modeled face masks designed by Ron Arad that are sold to raise money for UK's National Health Service. Additionally, the cotton masks are printed with portraits of famous artists, including Picasso, Matisse and Dalí. Smile for our NHS 3. Olivia Strong A documentary producer, , started a charity running challenge “ ” on social media with the aim of raising £5,000 ($6,212). It quickly went viral and has now raised over £5 million for UK healthcare workers fighting COVID. Check out her detailed story Olivia Strong Run for Heroes here. 4. Asta Baumöller While millions of people are being laid off, others are helping to locate those in need and match them with potential employers. along with , and Andrea Aeby developed a platform that aims to help self-employed people struggling to find work during the COVID-19 crisis connect with companies and projects. Asta Baumöller Claudia Wulf Holger Eggert, Kathrin Koehler free2freelance 5. Veronica Kirin Stories captivate, engage and call for an action. Veronica Kirin the founder of is a real-time interview archiver who is documenting the impact of COVID-19 for future generations. Check out the podcast here and her that are emotionally moving. Stories of COVID stories 6. Tokujin Yoshioka Japanese designer has created a quick and easy for healthcare workers fighting that attaches to the wearer's glasses. Tokujin Yoshioka face shield Covid-19 's template design creates a face shield in three simple steps from a clear sheet of PET or PVC plastic. Printed on an A3 piece of paper, the template gets placed over the top of a clear sheet of plastic and used as a guideline for cutting around the edge of the shape. Tokujin Yoshioka 7. Lakshmi Menon Kerala-based social entrepreneur Lakshmi Menon launched the coVeed project to foster a sense of coexistence among people. The concept is simple. Lakshmi Menon created a template of the coVeed, a mini-model of a house on the , to be downloaded, printed and assembled just like a pizza box. website Each model can store whatever provisions someone can spare for the needy like grain, pulses, etc. They can also decorate the model creatively and write messages of hope and faith. These can be then be collected and given to people in need. 8. Ieva Vaitkeviciute Mental Health has become more critical than ever before. Dozens of startups, professionals and individuals jumped onboard to do something about it. One of the pioneers is . Along with , in the midst of the crisis, they have developed the app. The app is a safe place in which people can share their thoughts anonymously with the community. They can also take part in one-to-one meetings with certified psychologists from wherever they are. It is highly recommended. Ieva Vaitkeviciute he r te a m Act On Crisis 9. Grace Gravley Grace Gravley studies how the anxieties of the moment and translates dreams. Anyone who wants to tell her their dream can fill out an anonymous form and choose to share the dream publically or not. Going through the stories, it is evident that a variety of thoughts, ideas and impressions of the pandemic are affecting human lives all over the world. Check out the gig here 10. Francesca Perani Architect Francesca Perani has designed a mini-flat that is just in size and is perfect for self-isolation. The space was designed for a couple living in a small Italian town, Albino. It has been added by transforming the porch or a storage space into a mini self-contained living area. 25-square meters How about 1 million USD funding to fight COVID-19? at Upwork are taking influence to the next level. To make it even more interesting and tempting click how anyone, anywhere with a great idea to solve the pandemic related problem could apply... Hayden Brown a n d m a n a g e m e nt here to learn more, There is one more. want to help as much as they can. They are asking companies to submit a request for their business to receive up to $5,000 in monetary support. Learn more Whitney Wolfe Herd a n d h e r t e a m a t Bumble here . Conclusion At the end of the day, despite the type of crisis and where it happens some people see positive opportunities, while other people see problems. This pandemic is a life-changing event in life. It has definitely taught us a lot and it has made us work together and be resourceful. What is most impressive to me is that it has made us think, reflect and make the right choices. You may also Like: What can we learn from a Man Who Built $1 Billion Business Employing 700 Employees Remotely? This is what I learned after researching 300 Decks, So will you. The Art of Raising 400 Million Dollars and How they Made it? 10 Business Models, 10 Companies, 10 New (or maybe not so New) Ways of Working during a Pandemic.

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10 Non-Influencers redefining Influence. Opportunity: $1 Million USD Funding to fight COVID-19

10 Non-Influencers redefining Influence. Opportunity: $1 Million USD Funding to fight COVID-19

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