COPS Monitoring donates laptops, reunites veterans with loved ones

WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J.—COPS Monitoring, provider of wholesale professional alarm services in North America, announced the donation of laptops to the Veterans Memorial Home, in Vineland, N.J., giving residents the ability to connect with loved ones during the necessary quarantines imposed by COVID-19. The home opened in 1899 and has been providing services to New Jersey veterans from every war or armed conflict since the Civil War.

"Both my parents live in the Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland, and they closed the doors to visitors on March 13," Colleen Croge, executive assistant, COPS Monitoring said in the announcement. "I'm glad they did because they don't have a single case of the coronavirus in the whole facility. I feel pretty good about that, but I visit my parents regularly, and I haven't been able to see them for more than three weeks. I have no idea when I'll be able to visit them and my dad has been battling some serious health issues. I've seen some visitors talking through the glass to their family, but my parents live on the third floor and they're confined to their room or floor for the most part to minimize the risk of contracting the virus."

Faced with this predicament and knowledge that COPS has an inventory of laptops to support work-from-home employees, Colleen turned to COPS with an imaginative proposal.

“When Colleen asked if she could borrow a computer so she could video chat with her parents, we didn't hesitate,” Jim McMullen, COPS Monitoring president said. “Our entire organization is built on the foundation of people helping people, and I was happy to help Colleen connect with her parents.”

Colleen was given the honor of delivering the laptop to the facility, but was greeted by the staff outside, completely covered in protective gear.

“They took the laptop inside to be disinfected, and we scheduled a time later that day to video chat with my mom and dad,” she said.

A few hours later, Colleen was able to see and talk with her parents. Holding back the tears, she described her 40-minute video chat with her parents including their reaction to their very first video all, and how much it affected them both to see and talk to each other face-to-face again. Later, the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home called Colleen to share just how much their demeanor and overall outlook had improved after their chat.

“Many of us take for granted the ability to be connected with the ones we care about most, and we tend to underestimated what happens when that connection is suddenly interrupted,” said McMullen. “Colleen's experience with her parents prompted us to donate additional laptops so others can have similar experiences.”

The COPS-donated laptops are shared among the residents so they, too, can reconnect with family and loved ones from across the globe in a time when they need it most.

Several studies have shown a direct correlation between meaningful family involvement and enhanced resident quality of life. Contact your local Veterans Affairs, and other retirement and nursing homes to discuss how you can donate new and used laptops in working condition so its residents can connect with their families during this difficult time.