Local small business donates soap to teachers

Emergency room respiratory therapist Kate Bonnema remembers her own fear at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can empathize with teachers’ anxiety and stress,” Bonnema said. “Medical workers were thanked by businesses giving us discounts on stuff. I’m not seeing that happen for teachers, and it should.”

Bonnema, also the owner of small business Rehoboth Beach Balm LLC, makes all-natural soaps, body scrubs, lip balm and other products with herbs and plants grown in her garden.

“Working in the medical field, we’re taught to mitigate the spread of infection,” Bonnema said. “One way to do that is through handwashing, so I thought I’d do what I can.”

To help, Bonnema launched a handwashing initiative so she could donate soap to as many teachers as possible. So far, she’s provided about individual teachers with 10 bars of soap each, and sent boxes of soaps to Rehoboth, Milton and H.O. Brittingham elementaries as well as Mariner Middle School.

Donations are being accepted to fund the initiative via Rehoboth Beach Balm’s Facebook page. 

“Any donation helps,” Bonnema said. “A $10 donation makes 10 bars of soap to ship to a teacher.”

To request soap, email kate@rehobothbeachbalm or message Rehoboth Beach Balm on Facebook with your name, address and proof you are a teacher, such as a photo of a certificate or license.

“Teachers are heroes every day, with or without COVID,” Bonnema said. “Now, they’re putting their lives on the line to go in and teach kids, and they’re not getting any hazard pay. I wanted to do what I could to help, even if it’s just a few bars of soap.”