In 2008, Michael and Frida Donner of Barco Uniforms founded Barco’s Nightingales Foundation (BNF) as a tribute to the incredible work performed by nurses. Their mission is “to elevate and promote nurses and all healthcare workers while honoring the spirit of the profession by focusing on helping children.”
COBMEX® is proud to be a supporter of Barco’s Nightingales Foundation since 2013. We believe in their mission to improve the lives of children at home and around the world and are committed to supporting organizations like BNF.
“We are so happy to support BNF’s incredible programs, knowing that they create real positive change and have a direct impact on these children and communities,” said Phil Newman, President of COBMEX® Apparel.
BNF’s domestic and international programs have positively changed the lives of thousands of children over the course of 13 years. Since 2010, as part of their local initiatives in the United States, BNF has sent children with cancer to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. BNF has provided life-changing surgeries to children with cleft palates and burns.
1 of 8 wells that Barco’s Nightingales Foundation has built for communities in Haiti.
In Haiti, BNF has positively changed lives by building solar water wells that deliver clean drinking water to local communities. Each year, BNF members travel to Haiti to visit the communities where they have built seven solar-powered wells, including an eighth that they repaired and maintain. They are the sole source of clean water for over 30,000 people. BNF employs local security and the wells are constantly checked to maintain the well’s functionality.
In 2009, BNF began a hot lunch food program for school children, which fed students across 75 schools, 3 orphanages, and 1 refugee camp – 12,500 students and teachers in total. For most children, this is their only meal of the day, and it helps them fight hunger and malnutrition. When the pandemic hit, schools closed and we were not able to deliver food to the schools. In April 2020, they began to deliver food to the families directly with 2 teams of 5 people each. They travel through rough terrain to deliver to 6000 families each month.
Children and families enjoying food provided by Barco’s Nightingales Foundation.
What resonates most with Iris is “…the connection between people. Everybody cares deeply, and that’s what I love about BNF. It made us realize that truly, it’s about keeping hope alive.” Despite the hurdles that challenge communities across Haiti, such as natural disasters, COVID-19, and political upheaval, they still radiate with positivity and hope.
Through these initiatives and more, BNF honors the remarkable work of nurses. Michael and Frida believe that “nurses are special people who incorporate heart, mind, soul and strength that go above and beyond and should receive the respect and recognition they deserve and that as this happens, more people will embrace the profession.”
At COBMEX®, we are committed to supporting charities that focus on improving children’s health and well-being around the world. We are strong believers in BNF’s mission and are proud to continue supporting BNF and keeping hope alive.
To learn more about BCF and to donate, please visit their website: https://www.barcosnightingales.org/
