The Comité Tricolore, its Members and Partners,
are proof of the resilience of our community.
In this issue we have gathered the different actions that have been taken by the various members of the French and French-American community: online classes, webinars, restaurant offerings, support to local businesses, etc.
There is something for each one of us: to enjoy, learn and stay safe yet connected!
The Comité Tricolore’s Initiatives
Our Covid-19 Page:
Informations et Entraide COVID-19
Our Page has a wealth of information regarding the different organizations that assist and protect the French Community in our regions go to https://www.comite-tricolore.org/Informations-et-Entraide-COVID-19 to have all the details regarding the information provided in this newsletter.
The French Consulate is the first place to go for reliable and up-to-date information. https://washington.consulfrance.org/
The Restaurant and Food Industry Forum
(Forum d’aide aux restaurateurs et métiers de bouche)
In partnership with Hughes Cossard, CT member and instructor at Stratford University we have created a Forum : Le Forum d’aide aux restaurateurs et métiers de bouche to help restaurants and small businesses in the food industry. The Forum is held through Zoom meetings and a Google Group platform for exchange of information and ideas. The objective is to take an inventory of needs during and after this crisis for businesses in the catering or restaurant sector; and of course for the employees of these establishments.
Help can be provided based on needs and last, but not least, this Forum offers ongoing moral support throughout the crisis. Contact Hughes to participate: hcossard@stratford.edu
The Agenda of our Members’ Virtual Events
We are working with our Members to update our Agenda so that you are aware of all the events that are happening online month by month. https://www.comite-tricolore.org/Agenda
Articles in the Press
We have been working closely with the Press to keep our community in the forefront of the news, and with the media to distribute the information they provide.
Interview of Eve Chauchard in LesFrancais.Press
LesFrancais.Press article presenting the initiatives of the Comité Tricolore Member Associations that contribute to the vibrancy of our region and are working hard to make sure that, with your support, our community remains strong and resilient.
https://lesfrancais.press/le-comite-tricolore-la-solidarite-francaise-en-action-a-washington-d-c/
French Morning Help to the French Small Businesses
To support French small businesses, French Morning is launching an inventory of all initiatives. If you are a small business and have launched a call for help, in the form of donations, purchase of gift cards or take-out sales, fill out this form (valid for businesses throughout the United States).
https://airtable.com/shrkhHJOnHXawt2fl
The Initiatives of our Members
Many of our members have reorganized their operations to provide help to people who are isolated or facing difficult situations.
When possible, the activities of some of our members continue in virtual mode in order to combat loneliness and stress.
Join one or more associations if you need support or if you want to volunteer!
On our Members Page: https://www.comite-tricolore.org/-Our-Members you will find the best way to contact each one of them.
Webinars, Online Classes, Support
Washington Accueil offers a very reduced subscription price until September 1, 2020 so that as many people as possible can benefit from its support initiatives, Virtual Club meetings and cafes, etc.
WAA is hosting Zoom meetings… to learn how to use Zoom since everyone needs it these days: https://www.washingtonaccueil.org/
DAPHNE, led by Dr Roche, organizes psychological assistance. Feel free to contact them: https://daphneusa.org/
The Alliance Française gives you free access to its online Culturethèque until May 30.
All its group and private classes are now online
Next week, for the very first time, they are offering you one of four free trial classes! On Tuesday April 21st, Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th: https://francedc.org/,
The French American Chamber of Commerce is proposing many events online and webinars, including webcasts concerning the Covid-19 crisis and its aftermath: https://www.faccwdc.org/civicrm/showevents
The Association of French War Veteran of Washington maintains a chain of comforting emails and identifies the needs of their members.
The Initiatives of our Partners
Our Partners have adapted to the new situation. If you have a hard time getting groceries delivered or finding empty shelves at the grocery store, they can help with the most delicious meals…we deserve it and so do they!
Others have just changed their business to producing and delivering essential items such as masks and sanitizers.
Food for our Souls
Ris DC prepares a Daily Care Package for carry-out or curb side delivery: https://www.risdc.com/
Convivial: in Latin the word Convivium means "a feast", as an adjective it means friendly, lively, and enjoyable…so enjoy their To Go menu!: http://www.convivialdc.com/
Bastille is open for curb-side delivery and carry-out and offers free kids meals for children under 12! Just in case you are tired of cooking for them...: https://www.bastillerestaurant.com/
You can also continue to carry-out Mediterranean food at the Lebanese Taverna: https://lebanesetaverna.com/
La Côte d’Or is offering New Menus for Delivery & To Go options including one for kids! https://www.lacotedorarlington.com/
Cuisine Solutions provides restaurants with the most delicious foods prepared and fully cooked sous vide. Order online and get 25% off delivered to your door steps: https://mycuisinesolutions.com/
2941 Restaurant: Chef Bertrand Chemel’s Inspired Meals for Home with Gallic flair can still be ordered online: https://www.2941.com/
Adapting the business to the crisis
D’Artagnan: The Wall Street Journal praises their creativity in face of the crisis: "D’Artagnan overhauled its operations to focus on the grocery market and meet a 700% increase in demand from customers ordering directly from its website." - Anne Kadet, and offers great recipes online: https://center-of-the-plate.com/
Garnier-Thiebaut manufactures reusable masks to help and keep his tailoring workshop busy: http://shop.gtlinens.com/c/covid-19-ppe
Tito Handmade Vodka is now producing about 60 tons of hand sanitizer per week to distribute to government emergency management officials, first responders, healthcare workers, nonprofit employees, or other critical personnel regionally and throughout the United States: https://www.titosvodka.com/stories/sending-love-and-goodness/
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Your Involvement
The Comité Tricolore has two missions:
To support its Members and Partners
To help the most vulnerable in our community.
As you can see, we have been very busy fulfilling our first mission.
But WE CANNOT fulfill our second mission WITHOUT YOU!
Please donate via our page : https://www.comite-tricolore.org/Help-us-Help-others?lang=en
Thank you so much for helping us help others!
Invite others to join the Comité Tricolore
We all have friends who have heard of us but never had the time to learn who we are and what we are doing.
So why not connect them to us by forwarding this newsletter. This way when things go back to normal they will have a chance to join us in the many activities and exciting events that will start again....hopefully soon!
