ways you can help during a pandemic while social distancing

I’ve always loved that Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in bad situations.  It’s such a great reminder of the good all around us, even in challenging times.  I grew up in a family of helpers, my parents were always serving and including us in the service.  Inviting people for dinner, helping people move, making meals, cleaning houses…when there was a huge flood in our town the winter I turned 12 we went and shoveled mud and debris out of peoples homes.  It’s one of my favorite memories from my childhood.

One of the hardest things about this pandemic situation is that there are people hurting, I want to help, and it feels like the only thing you can do is just stay home.  Which I know, makes a huge difference, but it feels like I am doing nothing.  And I hate doing nothing.

Late last week I got an email from our Relief Society President (the organization for the women in our church).  She shared that a nurse in our congregation who works in the ER at a local hospital said they needed people to sew surgical masks to donate to the local hospital.  YES! Finally something I can actually DO!  Something I can help with!

My kids and I spent all weekend sewing dozens of masks to donate to our local hospital.  Everyone helped.  They cut the patterns, ironed straps, applied backing, and sewed them together.  My kids got so into it, Ethan loved using the sewing machine, Hannah was a speed demon ironing the straps.  It was such a special experience working as a team (our own little mini assembly line) to help in this strange and crazy time, and I’m so glad we were able to do this small simple service together.

It got me thinking about what other kinds of service we can do, even while social distancing/quarantining. There are lots of ways you can help out in this situation, and you can get your kids involved in all of them.  Here are some ways you can help during a pandemic.

Check on your neighbors. Give them a call, see if they are doing okay, if they need anything (like maybe a roll of toilet paper).

Send love to a health care worker.  They are putting their lives on the line right now, show them some love.  Send them an email, or a letter in the mail, draw heart in chalk on their driveway.

Pick up groceries for the elderly.  Contact elderly people you know and see if you can pick up their groceries for them.  (Make sure to leave them on the doorstep rather than going inside.)

 Sew masks and scrub caps for doctors and nurses.  These help prolong the life of the n-95 masks and other protective gear, because they can be washed.  (Here is the link to the mask pattern that we used.) Contact your local hospital to see if they need masks or to ask where you can donate.

Facetime family members and friends who might need cheering up.  The isolation is one of the hardest parts of all of this.  We all crave human connection.  Brighten your friends and family member’s days by FaceTiming them.

Share what you have.  Hoarding is one of those things that unfortunately happens during times like this, if you have more than you need (things like toilet paper and flour), reach out to someone who might be struggling to find those things and share.

Pray.  We can all kneel down and pray for others.  Pray for the sick, the doctors, the scientists, the leaders.  Pray for those who have lost their jobs, who are trying to keep their business alive, for the parents trying to work from home while also schooling their kids.

Buy a gift certificate from your salon or service provider.  More than anyone else, these people are going to be suffering right now.  Call up your hair stylist or nail salon and ask if you can purchase a gift certificate to be used later.  It will help alleviate some of the financial strain.

How have you found ways to serve during the pandemic?  Share your ideas below!

Want some ideas for keeping your kids on a schedule during the school closures?  Click here.

Want to know about how to embrace boredom with your kids?  Click here.