This is the third in a three-part blog series about COVID-19. If you haven’t already, you may go back and read Part 1 and Part 2.

My previous two posts described patients and medical staff grappling with the arduous and unrelenting pandemic.

Those posts were sobering, and now I want to share some news about positive actions people have taken in their communities to support and thank overworked staffs providing medical care.

My classmate, Rachel, owns Salon 7. She noticed many of her healthcare clients were worn out – some dozing off while she was doing their hair.

Rachel started asking what she could do to help. One request was for snacks, since healthcare workers are now so overstretched that they rarely get to take their lunch breaks.

Rachel went to work and sent out requests over social media for “fruit snacks, protein bars, granola bars, things that they can slide into their pocket…” She also asked people to write thank-you cards. Here is one home-made card from one of her clients’ kids:

Rachel’s invitation resonated with clients, friends, and members of the community and she was able to collect two trucks’ worth of snacks and beverages to distribute.

Rachel’s efforts have provided healthcare workers in her community with hope and a gentle reminder that the community supports them. She has also provided a clear, easy, and tangible way for members of the community to do something to help and give thanks.

In a world of negativity I was kind of bummed out and this really made me feel better honestly because there is no divide here; it’s helping people that are saving our families.

Rachel Ridge

Rachel’s efforts made the local news. You can read more about it and see a video here.

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Another classmate of mine was inspired by Rachel’s donation drive.

Rachel and my classmate, Melissa, decided to replicate the effort in our hometown. She invited people to donate snacks, beverages, and write cards of appreciation to send to the nurses and medical staff of the local hospital. And the donations started coming in:

Melissa wrote me just this morning: “I have to deliver because it’s filling up my house!”

Conclusion

There is no shortage of bad news: locally, nationally, and abroad. It is easy to get depressed and scared.

The story is often retold of Fred Rogers’ mother counseling him when he was a boy in times of fear and distress to “look for the helpers.”

My friends, Rachel and Melissa, have heard the call, and raised it to “be one of the helpers.”

Even small gestures can have a big impact on both the receiver and the giver. Please consider becoming a helper, even if just for one person.