Giving Back During COVID-19

Two months.

That is how long it has been since life threw us into a sea of unknowns.  With the destruction of our normalcy and the alienation of our basic need for human touch, the Coronavirus has left behind a trail of unforgiving reminders of disbelief and shock.  But even still, from the depths of this despair, heroes have emerged. And the human race has once again united into a melting pot of compassion in a fight for global healing.

Have any of us ever seen, experienced or lived through anything like this?

I know for me, the last two months have been an extensive time of reflection, healing and self-expression. It has been the start of a time in my life that has offered me a humble opportunity to serve humanity in ways I couldn’t be more thankful for. But, I still ache to do more. 

Many have told me how helpless they feel and have asked how they could become part of the circle of healing hands that is so desperately needed around the world.

That gave me the idea for this month’s blog.

Although the Internet offers multitudes of organizations looking for volunteers, it can become overwhelming and confusing.  So if are wanting to become a part of this movement of giving back during COVID-19 while #StayingHome and #SavingLives, try some of these simple ideas.

1. Online tutoring. In a few short days, schools around the US will be closing out the 2019-2020 academic year. We must not forget how this pandemic has affected the youngest of our humans and the adults who care for them. With little warning, teachers were thrust into going from a classroom based curriculum to an online schedule, while still trying to maintain the same level of teaching and discipline. Many students may have struggled with adjusting to computer based learning, causing them to fall behind on their academic potential. In an effort to keep the learning gap small, tutoring is a much needed service to help students stay on track.  Virus or no virus, education must go on. Reach out to your local school district and see how you can help mentor the children of the future.
   
   
2. Sewing. I know many of you are already involved in some form of PPE design and donation. On behalf of all of the essential workers, our most sincere and humble gratitude! Sewing is one of my favorite hobbies. The therapeutic hum of the sewing machine is so cathartic on those stressful days. I belong to a non-for -profit group that has continued to sew masks for various hospitals, homeless shelters, and nursing homes. The need is great! Masks will be part of our lives indefinitely and we can never have enough. If all you can do is thread a needle, we will take it.  Help is needed to order fabric and replenishing sewing supplies. Even help with cutting the fabric is vital. Whatever way you can volunteer, it is going towards something great. Every stitch and every hand brings us together.
   
   
3. Calling all cooks. Are you a genius in the kitchen? Or just love being there? Food is desperately needed all throughout the communities. Various organizations are heading up food deliveries everywhere. Whether you offer to buy the groceries or drop them off, your help is invaluable. Vulnerable, high-risk volunteers who want to help but are afraid of becoming exposed can still help by staying safe and preparing meals in their own kitchen. The prepared meal will then be taken to the needed locations by other volunteers. PBJ sandwiches count. Anything that feeds the soul. #StayHome #SaveLives.
   
   
4. Photography. No doubt, these are milestone moments. Whether you choose to forget them or cherish them, these unforgettable family times maybe worth grabbing that Kodak moment. We can look back and say, “Hey, remember how we spent 24/7 for what felt like a gazillion years?” So if you love looking through the lens, how about offering to take portraits for family, friends or neighbors from across the street maintaining the six-feet distance? This small act of love will do amazing things for families going through hard times.
   
   
5. Online learning. This is absolutely one of my favorite ways to give back. Look, let’s face it. The next few months and maybe years, connection through the cyber portal will be the new normal. We can either choose to wait to go back to “normal” or we can CREATE our normal. With the online platform, learning has exploded into an infinite canvas of creativity.
   I would like to share a small example of this. You see, I absolutely love fashion.  If I didn’t go into medicine, my back up plan was to enter into fashion design, albeit, I can barely draw a stick figure.  One of my friends, who has studied and taught fashion design, knows how crazy I am about this. Out of her generous kindness, she offered to teach me. I can’t tell you what this simple gesture has done for my morale.  This is something I never would have even thought to do in our “old normal.”  
   
   If you have a talent, share it with the world!! We need it now more than ever.  You can teach someone to draw, paint, cook, sew, sing, dance, speak a language, learn computer programs or play an instrument.   If you are handy, conduct a home repair workshop. Lead your friends through a guided meditation. If organizational skills are your forte, get online with your friend or friends and walk them through the best way to organize their space. The possibilities are endless. We know these services are all available on YouTube. But, wouldn’t it be so much better learning from someone you know and who knows you?   Think of all the things you do in your everyday life that brings you joy. Take that light and spread it to a whole online community that will become a little happier and little healthier just by your sharing.

The actions of each one of us MATTERS! No one service is greater than the other.

You don’t’ have to be on the frontlines of a NY hospital to make an impact. Your simple acts of kindness plays a CRUCIAL role in keeping people out of there. So, don’t underestimate who you are and what you can do.

I don’t think of us as Frontline workers, but rather as FRONTLINE HEALERS.  While this virus has physically distanced us, it can NEVER break the spirit that connects us.

One final note, the virus is still amongst us. Be smart. Be safe.