Helping From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic

We are such a resilient nation. The stories of people helping people are so encouraging. The companies who are changing their factories to produce necessary pandemic items are incredible. The people who are putting their lives on the line to save others are truly amazing. All of the essential service workers who are keeping this country moving are so appreciated.

We must try to stay positive and be the helpers whenever we can. As many of us stay at home under orders and try to stop the spread of COVID-19, we may feel helpless. We may not be on the front lines in this active battle, but there are still things we can do to help. 

For those of us at home, I have put together a list of ideas of ways we can shine our light. I don’t take credit for all of these ideas, but I am sharing them in hopes of inspiring us all to do what we can to help others. If you have kids, involve them as much as possible.

Note: Please follow all mandated guidelines for social distancing and stopping the spread. If you are having symptoms of COVID-19 or any illness, be sure not to do any of these where you take the risk of transmitting the virus to someone else. 

• Of course–pray, pray, pray.
• Pick flowers from your yard or wildflowers on your walk, create a bouquet in a jar or cup and deliver it to a neighbor’s front door. 
• Before going to the grocery store, call an at-risk or working neighbor to see if they need you to pick up anything for them.
• Buy gift cards from the local businesses and restaurants and give them to anyone you know who is on the front lines (doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, delivery drivers, etc.)
• Order your favorite book(s) online (especially from a local bookstore) and have it shipped to a friend who would enjoy it.
• If you have a garden, share the produce with a friend.
• Organize a group video call with your friends.
• Have your kids video call their grandparents or other elderly friends to chat.
• If you know a mom who is struggling with having kids at home doing online school, check in with her. Order activities that would help entertain the kids (puzzles, chalk, art supplies, etc.). 
• Sew hospital masks or gowns and find a local hospital who needs them. Joann has instructions for these. As of today, Tieks is offering gift cards for people sewing for the cause.
• Volunteer to help your local school make or deliver lunches to the kids out of school.
• Deliver a homemade meal to a friend/neighbor who needs it.
• Share the positive stories or ways to help on your social media.
• If you know a family with working front line parents, reach out to them to see how you can help.
• Ask your church if there are any ways you can volunteer with what they are doing to help your church members and community.
• Cut out large hearts or animals, color them and post them in your windows. The families who are walking in your neighborhood can have a scavenger hunt with their kids on their walks. Share this idea on Nextdoor or with your neighbors–the more who participate, the more fun it is!
• Make large signs to hang at the front of your house or write positive messages on your sidewalk or driveway to encourage passersby.
• Order an Edible Arrangement or meal from a local restaurant to be delivered to someone who needs it.
• For families who are musically inclined, have a concert on your front porch for your neighbors. Have a marching band parade in your neighborhood (solo or with other musicians socially distanced). Play outside the windows at elder care facilities.
• Send a note of thanks to anyone who is working around the clock to keep our society functioning.
• Order a meal delivery (tacos, pizza, etc.) for your local hospital, police department, fire department, etc. Be sure to call to make sure they will accept delivery first.
• Donate blood. 
• Donate to a charitable organization helping during this crisis (your local food bank, Meals on Wheels, etc.)
• Mow, edge or weed the lawn for an elderly neighbor or someone who is working on the front lines.
• Drive by the house of a friend to honk and shout encouragement.

I’ll be adding to this list as I hear about more ways to help, so I’d love to hear from you! What other ways have you heard about or helped someone during the pandemic?

Lord, we thank you for all of the people who are helping to save the world from this terrible pandemic. Please guard them and give them tools, protection, wisdom and strength. Please be near those who are ill and bring them back to good health. Let those of us who are safe at home be inspired to help others in every way we can. Let all we do glorify you. Lord, please end this virus. Amen.

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