During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, numerous companies, organizations, and community members mobilized to provide free resources and products to individuals and families facing economic and social challenges. This comprehensive guide details the types of freebies, promotional offers, and community resources that were made available during this period. It covers digital educational resources, household goods, healthcare professional benefits, and local community exchanges, providing a factual overview based on available data from 2020.
Overview of Pandemic-Era Freebies
As the pandemic altered daily life, the landscape of free offers expanded significantly. A centralized resource curated a list of 318 deals, last updated on September 22, 2020, specifically targeting businesses, organizations, and individuals dealing with COVID-19. This collection included products, services, subscriptions, and memberships that were either free of charge or heavily discounted (50% or more). The initiative recognized that companies big and small were stepping up to assist during this difficult time.
Beyond curated lists, community-based platforms saw a surge in activity. Local marketplaces became hubs for neighbors to exchange items at no cost, facilitating the redistribution of household goods, furniture, and even pets within specific geographic areas.
Digital and Educational Resources
With schools closed and individuals confined to their homes, digital education and entertainment resources became a primary focus for free offerings.
Streaming and Learning Platforms
Several major platforms offered free access to their content to support at-home learning and entertainment: * Audible: Provided free streaming of a massive collection of stories in multiple languages while schools were closed. * Scribd: Offered a free 30-day trial to its digital library. * Coursera: Extended free course access to colleges and universities affected by the coronavirus. * OpenStax: Offered free books for various subjects through their app. * Sophia.org: Offered free college-level courses, specifically allowing registration for any of their 30 ACE®-recommended courses until July 31 (presumably of 2020).
Productivity and Professional Development
For those working from home or looking to upskill: * Product Managers: Could download free ebooks, videos, and guides relevant to their field. * Online Learning Partnerships: Various creators partnered to temporarily offer courses at no cost.
Health and Wellness
Physical and mental health resources were also made available: * EkhartYoga: Offered 20 free yoga and meditation classes specifically designed to relieve stress and anxiety. * Peloton App: Provided a free 30-day trial, offering classes to keep users connected. * General Workout Videos: Free workout videos suitable for every fitness level were made available.
Local Community and Physical Goods
Community marketplaces played a significant role in redistributing physical goods, allowing neighbors to acquire necessary items without financial burden.
Furniture and Home Goods
Listings in the Corona, California area included a wide variety of free furniture and home items. Examples of available items included: * Red Loveseat * Double Sink Vanity Top * Beige Recliner Chair * Full Size Bed with Mattress * Black Leather Armchair * Set of Bar Stools and Framed Artwork * Set of 3 Wooden Folding Tables * Vertical Blinds for Sliding Door * Various Wine and Brandy Glasses * UCLA Pennant
Home Improvement and Garden
Residents also offered items related to home maintenance and gardening: * Services: Junk removal, gazebo removal, dumpster rental, window cleaning, yard service, permanent light installation services, and garage door service. * Materials: Assorted tiles, garage doors, wooden double doors, pile of dirt for landscaping, outdoor storage cabinets, garden landscaping stones blocks, firewood logs, and an outdoor sink station.
Automotive and Transportation
While specific vehicle giveaways were noted as "Recently sold," other transportation-related freebies included: * Chicco NextFit Car Seat * Free moving boxes and free recycling * Black Enclosed Cargo Trailer
Pets and Animals
The community marketplace facilitated the rehoming of animals: * Free pond fish * Australian Shepherd (Recently sold) * Egg laying hens (Recently sold) * Wooden Chicken Coop (Free in Norco, CA)
Clothing and Accessories
Fashion finds were also available for free, including: * Black Tote Bag, packaging supplies, and ring light/lighting * Rhinestone Devil Horns * Gently used women's young adult clothing * Collection of Winter Boots
Miscellaneous Items
Other notable free listings included: * Pro Makeup Artist services * White Sedan (Free in East Stroudsburg, PA) * Custom Gates and repair
Specialized Freebies for Healthcare Professionals
Recognizing the immense contributions of frontline workers, particularly nurses, a specific list of freebies was compiled for the healthcare community during the COVID-19 crisis and Nurses Week 2020.
Scope and Availability
The list focused on "little something to enjoy" items rather than just PPE or monetary donations. It was noted that several companies were donating PPE and money, but the list specifically targeted deals that gave healthcare providers personal treats. While the list was geared toward nurses, the deals were generally available to frontline healthcare workers. It was emphasized that no companies paid for their mention, and the list was compiled to help nurses and other essential workers during a trying time.
Types of Freebies
Although the specific companies were not detailed in the provided text, the range of items mentioned included: * Coffee * Socks * Other small gifts and treats
This initiative aimed to address the sentiment that nurses deserved recognition similar to other essential workers who frequently received community donations of meals and coffee.
Promotional Sweepstakes and Branded Offers
While the pandemic influenced many free offers, some brands continued traditional promotional activities, such as sweepstakes.
Corona Extra Beer Sweepstakes
Crown Imports LLC, the importer of Corona Extra Beer, sponsored a sweepstakes. Key details included: * Sponsor: Crown Imports LLC, 131 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603. * Administrator: Don Jagoda Associates, Inc., 100 Marcus Drive, Melville, NY 11747. * Social Media Disclaimers: The sweepstakes was explicitly not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook/Meta or Instagram. Information provided by entrants went to the Sponsor, not the social platforms. * Live Nation Disclaimers: Live Nation was not a sponsor and was not responsible for administration, verification, or fulfillment.
A "Winners List" was to be sent after all prizes were awarded.
Digital Freebies for Personal Use
Beyond services and physical goods, digital products were offered for free. A specific example provided was a "Corona FREE Coloring book," which offered the first 70 pages for free. The creator stated these were provided to help people through the "Shelter in Place" order, allowing users to download, color, and share the pages permanently.
Conclusion
The availability of freebies during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected a broad response from companies, community platforms, and individuals. Resources ranged from essential digital educational tools and wellness classes to physical household goods and specialized treats for healthcare workers. Community marketplaces proved vital for the redistribution of furniture, home improvement materials, and even pets, while branded promotions continued in regulated formats. These offerings provided critical support and resources to U.S. consumers navigating the challenges of the pandemic.