Thanks to Keanu Reeves, the wives of two Vacaville police officers and members of a local nonprofit, among others, Vacaville healthcare first responders will receive a little bit of love today.

They deserve to smile, organizers said, as medical staff are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. What better way to keep their spirits up than with some fresh juice or gift cards for other healthy snacks?

The idea was hatched by Jo Carey last week as she sheltered at home. The wife of Vacaville police Sgt. Steve Carey, Jo’s heart went out to Covid-19 patients and their families. And, she was in awe of local doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers putting themselves at risk to treat these ill patients.

Enter Keanu Reeves, her favorite actor. Known for being a genuinely nice guy with a philanthropic bent, Reeves’ works inspired Carey to do something to show local medical professionals some appreciation. She came up with a fundraiser to keep them healthy by stocking their fridges with healthy food and drinks. Encouraged by her family, she soon came across a Facebook post by Joanne Carli, wife of Vacaville police Chief John Carli, featuring a quiche from a local eatery and encouraging friends to support the local business community.

Her mind was blown.

“I connected the dots,” Carey said.

She asked for her friend’s advice about supporting both local healthcare workers and local businesses likely struggling during this time and gained a partner.

“Right away it was “Let’s do it,” Carey recalled.

The plan was to start small and ask department families for $10 donations. If 100 people gave, that would be $1,000 for the first distribution.

With Carli’s community connections, they surpassed that figure. Vacaville Soroptimist International donated $2,500 and the Vacaville Police Officers Association gave $1,000.

That funding had to be parked somewhere, Carli said, and a nonprofit was found.

Just so happens that veteran Vacaville dispatcher Lauren Coughlan sits on the board of Solano Family First Responders, a young nonprofit that aims to support all Solano first responders and their families. She got the ball rolling and the nonprofit on board.

A business, Virtue Juice Bar at the Nut Tree, was chosen as the business to provide the healthy snacks, and Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center and VacaValley Hospital were selected as beneficiaries.

“I’m so excited to see how this goes,” Carey said. “It could maybe spark some hope. We’re all in this together.”

Carli shared the sentiment.

“I would love to see other communities do the same,” she said. “It’s people loving people.”

On Easter weekend, a more festive giveaway is planned.

“Were asking police families’ kids to make thank you cards,” Carli explained. Together with tasty egg wraps from Journey Coffee and other treats, all will be delivered to doctors and nurses in a show of gratitude.

“At this time, we all need to pull together,” Carey emphasized. “We’re excited, we’re happy, we’re hopeful. But there’s still a lot to do.”

Fairfield police officer Cade Beckwith, also a Solano Family First Responders board member, said he’s glad to play a part in the fundraiser. For him, it’s personal.

“I have family members in the medical field, a million friends,” he said.The work they do, he said, is invaluable.

“Doctors, nurses, medics, police, fire. We’re all first responders,” he added. All, he said, deserve support.

The goal is to ultimately bring other healthcare facilities into the fold, including Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, Sutter Solano and NorthBay Healthcare.

“We do want this to be countywide,” he advised.

This fundraiser is expected to continue for six weeks, or as long as Solano has a shelter at home order in place.

Want to help?

All donations, big or small, are appreciated. Even sharing word of the fundraiser will aid progress, organizers said.

Businesses are also invited to get involved.

To donate, to sign up as an involved business or to learn more about Solano Family First Responders, visit https://solanofamilyfirstresponders.com/.