The Quarantine Angels are a group of five St. Joe’s students who voluntarily distribute baked goods, books, puzzles, art supplies and games to students in quarantine and isolation in Moore Hall, Sourin Hall and the Homewood Suites.
Sarah Quinn ’89, M.B.A. ’09, St. Joe’s chief of staff and liaison to the board of trustees, offered to coordinate the Quarantine Angels after it was brought up during a senior leadership discussion.
“We were recently able to begin providing an SJU branded blanket to each student entering quarantine and isolation,” Quinn said in an email to The Hawk. “We also have plans to provide a blanket to students who completed a quarantine or isolation stay earlier this semester.”
Students, faculty and staff can drop off donations at Regis Hall between 9 a.m. -12 p.m and from 4 -5 p.m.
Each week, Quinn receives a list of the rooms occupied by students in quarantine and isolation and informs the quarantine angels where to deliver the treats for the week.
These deliveries go to students like Amanda Boehme ’24, who has been quarantining in Sourin Hall since Sept. 24. Boehme said the gifts gave her a sense of comfort that she needed.
“It’s nice knowing that people care for us and haven’t forgotten about us,” Boehme said. “When I received the brownies and cookies, it brightened my day.”
Olivia DeSabella ’24, a Quarantine Angel, said she joined the group to help other students manage their struggles in quarantine and isolation.
“Isolation can be lonely and boring, so dropping off some treats and activities could make people feel less disconnected there,” DeSabella said. “I hope people who get the donations can realize that there is a whole community of people who care about them and their wellbeing.”
Boehme said quarantine was lonely at first because she was the only one in her suite, but when she got the snacks, she realized she wasn’t alone.
“The first couple of days were tough to get used to, but knowing there were students out there like the Quarantine Angels, helping me, made me feel more at ease,” Boehme said.
Quarantine Angel Bryn Spaide ’23 said they leave baked goods outside the suites in Sourin Hall and outside the rooms in the Homewood Suites. In the lobbies of Moore Hall and Sourin Hall, tables are set up with baked goods and activities for students to take before they go into isolation.
Emma Nemeth ’24, who started quarantine on Sept. 29 in Moore Hall, said that the work the Quarantine Angels are doing makes her feel recognized and cared for.
“Every small act of kindness goes a long way, and it’s comforting to know people are looking out for you, thinking of you, even if they don’t personally know you,” Nemeth said. “People taking time out of their busy schedule to make treats for us exemplifies the message of love and kindness that SJU spreads.”
Julianna Pollander ’24, a quarantine angel, said that quarantine can be isolating, so the goal was to make the two weeks feel more comfortable for students.
“Even if these goodies are just a little sprinkle of happiness delivered to them, it’s nice to see their faces light up,” Pollander said.
Spaide said she is sympathetic towards the students in quarantine and hopes that what she and the Quarantine Angels are doing is making a difference.
“If I had to quarantine, I would think it’s so boring, you’re by yourself,” Spaide said. “I can’t imagine already being away from home and then having to quarantine alone, so we thought a small act of giving them treats and providing them with activities would be nice. We want to bring them some good vibes and positivity while they are quarantined.”
