Feeling Helpless? These Stories May Inspire You
Although the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the world, there are many who are providing brief moments of happiness to others throughout the pandemic. Here, we highlight those individuals and the work they’re doing!
Actor John Krasinski launched Some Good News, a YouTube Channel dedicated to lifting people’s spirits. He’s interviewed a teenager whose neighbors lined her street — socially distanced, of course — when she found out she was in remission. He’s also helped individuals "meet" their heroes like the cast of Hamilton and David Ortiz!
Since April 2, Dolly Parton has been reading bedtime stories from the Imagination Library for kids of all ages. Parents can access all recordings on YouTube. It's not Parton's first foray into advancing literacy. Her Imagination Library mails free books to children from birth until they begin school.
WestJet flight attendants discovered that several senior athletes on their flight, who had just competed in the 2020 CCAA National Championships, would not be able to participate in graduation because schools were disbanding on-campus classes. That’s when they decided to host an impromptu graduation ceremony while other passengers cheered.
Older adults are more likely to have fatal outcomes once they’ve developed COVID-19 which has meant that most nursing homes are not allowing visitors. With their clients feeling the brunt of loneliness, nurses from Bryn Celyn Care Home organized a game of “Hungry, Hungry Hippos” for seniors to play. In this version of the game, seniors and their nurse teammates were hippos.
Ashley Lawrence, a student studying education for the deaf and hard of hearing, knows that face visibility is essential for her future clients. That’s why she is creating reusable fabric masks that feature a clear plastic piece over the wearer’s mouth so that his or her lips are still visible. This helps individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing better understand healthcare workers.
Teachers around the country have been going the extra mile for their students from reading bedtime stories via Zoom to dropping off healthy meals to students who would normally receive free- or reduced-price lunches. One teacher, however, brought a whiteboard to a student’s home when she didn’t understand a complex algebra concept. He stayed on the front porch while the student reviewed the material from behind a closed glass door.
At the high school level, a school administrator in Michigan drove to a student's place of employment, a local fast food restaurant, to let the youngster know that she had become the school's valedictorian. The administrator told media outlets that she simply couldn't wait to let the teen know about her accomplishment and wanted to see her reaction in person!
Finally, while some individuals have opted to stay busy by watching animal cameras at various zoos, Annie and Edward (two rockhopper penguins) were allowed to explore the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which is now visitor free. The penguins were able to meet their neighbors, including dolphins!
If you'd like to learn more about the positive impact companies and individuals are having on their communities, follow the Give To Get Twitter feed.