For those of you who use Facebook, you’re probably accustomed to it showing you what you posted exactly a year ago (and two, three, four … years ago).
More than once this week my heart skipped a beat as I re-read the beginning moments of this pandemic.
There were so many different thoughts thrown out, from “oh, it’s nothing” to “I’m never going out again!”
After the initial shock wore off a bit, we quickly pivoted to action mode. In our work at the Area Agency on Aging, we each have a unique perspective of the needs of the people we serve. Combine those perspectives, and we are a mighty team.
In identifying what we saw as immediate needs, we reached out to our greatest resource: volunteers. And, not coincidentally, community and partner organizations reached out to us to see how they could help.
The Friendly Caller program soon became the priority. It provided meaningful connection with people who were suddenly feeling more isolated than ever. That program currently has more than 60 trained volunteers who are reaching more than 200 people weekly.
The conversations we’re hearing about are wonderful, meaningful and sometimes just silly, but they’re oh so important to those who just needed to know they aren’t alone. The impact of this program is so great.
As the months went on, the needs and challenges of the people we serve changed and grew, and our volunteers rose to the challenge, again and again.
From our community/partner organizations we received care packages of personal items, which was so important. With the current mandates in place, a simple trip to the grocery or drug store to pick up essentials can be daunting for some of our clients.
This simple gift was much needed and appreciated. We recruited – and continue to recruit – volunteers to make deliveries of care packages.
We received boxes of nonperishable food, which we have been able to provide to people in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. So many people have been forced to stretch their food supplies, or even go without, to avoid suiting up and making a trip into town.
One day this week, it came to my attention that we had six deliveries that had to be made quickly, to areas that extended from one end of our region to the other.
I reached out to a team of volunteers, and one of them immediately responded, “I can do all of them tomorrow!”
She quickly drove to AAA and picked up the boxes. With a big smile on her face she said, “Consider it done!”
It’s that kind of amazing attitude that motivates us all to help each other. Kindness toward others is one of the things that connects people and communities.
Kindness is also contagious. When we see someone doing something kind or thoughtful, it inspires us to be more giving ourselves. Giving isn’t always about money.
It’s about giving of yourselves, your gifts, talents, skills or just simply your attention.
We have seen many things in the last year that make us apprehensive of what is to come, but we have also seen so many acts of kindness, true acts of heroism and the overwhelming capacity of the human heart to be able reach out and just help.
I am truly awed to be surrounded by people who have the courage, generosity and selflessness to serve their friends, family and community.