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Helping Each Other: Local business raising money to buy masks for health care workers

Posted at 10:12 AM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 12:25:40-04

(WXYZ) — While many stores are feeling the pinch because of the shut down orders, some are less worried about their finances are more concerned about helping the community during this outbreak.

The owner of Bateel is raising money to buy masks for hospitals in our area.

Bateel is located on Old Woodward in Birmingham and specializes in gourmet dates.

Owner Nadia Hamoudi might not be busy running her store, but she is still working hard to raise money.

“We always want to help the community," said Nadia.

You may remember her from our story in December when a box of her gourmet dates was named one of Oprah’s favorite things.

The doors are shut at the store now, just like many others in our area. Luckily for Nadia, business continues with online orders, so she hasn’t had to layoff any employees.

She considers herself one of the lucky ones, which is why she has turned her focus on local health care workers.

“Make sure they are safe as well and protected," she said.

Bateel has ordered $7,000 worth of N-95 and surgical masks.

The shipment of those 10,000 masks is expected to come in by the end of the week.

Now, Nadia has created a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 to buy more masks.

She plans on donating another $5,000 on top of that. Nadia is hoping you will join her.

“Any little bit helps and let’s help our community.”

When asked if she will contact Oprah to donate, she said, “You know what? We would love to do that, and we will definitely try.”

To make a donation, click here.

You can let 7 Action News know about a Helping Each Other story we should be covering by emaiing connectwith7@wxyz.com.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michgian, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.

See all of our Helping Each Other stories.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.