BATON ROUGE - While the majority of Louisiana's residents are sheltering at home until the threat of COVID-19 passes, a number of healthcare workers and first responders continue to go to work, risking their health and safety to protect others.

Capital Area United Way, determined to show its support of these courageous individuals, is collaborating with Baton Rouge philanthropist and community volunteer, Deborah Sternberg to set up a “19 Thanks” appreciation tribute on Sunday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

On that date and time, they're asking members of the public to show their support of first responders and healthcare workers by ringing bells or finding another way to make noise to show their thanks.

They ask that residents do this wherever they happen to be sheltering while practicing social distancing. 

Locals can also post notes or videos with messages of appreciation through the social media channels associated with 19thanks.org (including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), using the hashtag #19thanks.