I wasn’t expecting to see so many cars when I pulled into the church driveway on Wednesday morning to volunteer. Two women were diligently packing food into bags, while other people transported the food-filled bags and boxes into vehicles.
After receiving instructions, I donned a pair of gloves, packed my own car and delivered meals to families in our school district that depended upon school lunches before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools.
In the spirit of social distancing, we were told we simply had to drop the food, ring the doorbells (or knock) and be on our way; no interaction required.
But after two hours of deliveries, the moments I remember most are the interactions I shared with grateful moms who called, “thank you!” down the driveway as I wandered off, and the kind stranger who let me into the locked apartment complex, even though the food wasn’t for him.
My heart – which has been beaten down with sad news and social isolation – was more full than it had been since our governor enacted the “safer at home” order into effect on March 24 throughout Wisconsin.
Indeed, three days after that announcement, many Madison residents received Public Safety Alerts on their cell phones: “Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in our community. … If you leave home, assume you have been exposed to COVID-19.”
The Public Safety Alert was meant, I think, to remind people to take this pandemic seriously, that in order to isolate the virus effectively, we all need to participate in physical distancing. I know there are people who are underestimating the seriousness of this disease so I appreciate the weight this alert put on our entire city to remind us all to do our part.
However, that alert struck a deeper chord in me. I had just started signing up to volunteer and had yet to attend an event. With the current circumstances, I became scared that my volunteer activities would put myself, and by extension my community, at risk. I found myself facing a dilemma: I’m being told the best way to protect others is by staying home. But I know homeless shelters, food banks and tons of organizations are actively in need of volunteers to make sure those in my community are protected.
COVID-19 is a terrifying, isolating illness. It’s affecting all of us, mentally and physically, in one way or another. It’s shone a light on social responsibility and what it means to put your community’s overarching needs above your own. This is not something I had thought much about before, and now it is challenging my intense desire to volunteer while possibly putting those I’m helping at risk.
Reflecting back on my choice to help deliver food, I’m glad I showed up at that church. If they put a call out for volunteers next week, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. I’ve started looking for more ways to help, too. I will take all proper precautions, whether it be gloves, sanitizer or face masks, but I will not stop showing up for the people who need it. I would hope, if the roles were reversed, someone would do the same for me.
Because, amid all the anxiety and fear of the unknown, COVID-19 has done something wonderful. There is this ironic silver lining of any tragedy: It’s brought entire communities, cities and nations together, united us in ways we haven’t been before.
They say in a tragedy, you find the helpers. And that’s where I want to be. If you are young and healthy and willing to take safety measures to keep yourself and others safe, I encourage you to join me.
If you live in the Madison, Wisconsin, area, visit www.volunteeryourtime.org to see how you can help. If you live in the state, visit www.volunteerwisconsin.org. Some calls for help involve remote work and are as small as writing uplifting messages to members of nursing homes. Others require specific expertise.
If you live elsewhere, seek out ways to help in your own community. Look for organizations following social distancing guidelines and providing materials that will keep you safe. Or just Google your nearest nursing home and address a handwritten note “To any resident.” I can guarantee you’ll make someone smile.
Editor(s): Jing Wu
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